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Foreword

I am pleased to present Selections VII, my seventh annual catalogue. I have selected 22 exceptional works from current inventory that illustrate a sampling from each of the gallery’s areas of specialization. Whether the works are landscapes, still lifes or figurative, whether the artists are impressionists, modernists or expatriates, this selection underscores the richness, diversity and growth of American art between 1880 and 1950.

These works have quality and visual impact, and these factors are the ones which attract me to a work of art. While there is a cache attached to famous names, there must be more than just a signature to brand it a truly great work of art. Frank Duveneck’s Basilica di San Marco, Venice, is such a work. It was painted during a vital period in his career, and given to his close friend and fellow artist Ralph Curtis. Duveneck was one of the most important artists associated with Cincinnati, and his works of this subject are exceedingly difficult to locate and rarely appear on the marketplace.

I also believe Elizabeth Nourse’s Étude, Fleurs, is an extremely fine work of art. Nourse also had a strong Cincinnati connection, and this work shows her capabilities as a master of impressionism. While she never studied directly with Duveneck, it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to handle these two major works. Interestingly, both Nourse and Duveneck evolved into highly accomplished artists working in the impressionist style.

George de Forest Brush’s Mother and Child is the artist’s only sculpture. This work is the three dimensional version of his most important oil of the same title (coll. The Metropolitan Museum of Art). It is a theme that Brush visited throughout his career, but only once in this medium. He spent 30 years crafting this sculpture, which shows how important Brush felt it was to perfect it. Any successful catalogue depends on the collaboration of many. I am especially grateful to the many scholars who provided insights and contributions to this effort: Mary Lublin (George de Forest Brush); Frederick Moffatt (Arthur Wesley Dow); Michael Quick (Frank Duveneck); Mark Cole (Jared French); Deborah White (William Robinson Leigh); Michael Sanderson (William Sanderson); and Dewey F. Mosby (Henry Ossawa Tanner).

I am also indebted to Anne Hargrave, for researching and writing the essays for this publication. Emily Mazzola researched and wrote the entry on Arthur Wesley Dow. Pure Imaging’s Phil Lajoie, Marianne Litty, Johanna McBrien and John Smiroldo provided considerable guidance, editing and production support.

In addition to buying and selling art, Brock & Company also provides a broad range of services to collectors of American and European art. We freely share our expertise on conservation, framing and installation of existing works, and advise collectors seeking to upgrade, sell, or add to their collections. We also provide appraisals for estate, tax, or insurance purposes, particularly important in the current environment of intense competition for prime works of art. For a full list of artists in inventory and images of works for sale, updated monthly, please visit our website: www.brockandco.com .

Mark L. Brock Concord, Massachusetts

Omnia Vincit Veritas

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