A pioneer in color etching, Ukrainian born Meyerowitz’s early etchings display an atmospheric mood, often equated with the work of James Abbott McNeill Whistler. His expressionism and musical training contributed to this lyrical style, placing Meyerowitz’s etchings and paintings, in today’s art world, as sensitive and poignant depictions of American life. In his own words, “…the artist improvises with paint on canvas much the same as the pianist finds expression.
etching
Gloucester Harbor
Working to support his mother, two brothers and sister after his father died (when he was 16), Wilbur attended night classes at Boston Normal School (now Massachusetts School of Art). Growing his oeuvre, he worked as an engraver at the “Los Angeles Times” before relocating to New York City in 1925. He immediately enrolled in the Grand Central Art School, studying under Harvey Dunn, N.C. Wyeth and Pruett Carter, achieving notoriety in watercolor, oil, dry point and lithograph.
The Dory, 1903
When Hayley Lever arrived on Cape Ann, he found the picturesque harbors and deep nautical traditions familiar to the ancient fishing ports of St. Ives, England and Brittany, France where he had painted and studied extensively. In addition to his accomplishments abroad, he became legendary for his maritime scenes in the U.S. and was commissioned to paint the presidential yacht for President Coolidge, presented at the White House.
Italian Fishing Boats, Gloucester Harbor, 1926
“It’s not what an artist paints—it’s how he paints it. Paintings may be abstract or realistic—it doesn’t matter. The greatest art of all is great enough to cover any method . . . If there’s enthusiasm in you, nothing on earth stops you. Painting is a joyful agony—a labor of love.”
– Hayley Lever
Banks Fisherman
Gordon Grant’s formative relationship with the ocean began at the age of 13, when he spent over four months at sea travelling from San Francisco to Scotland for his education. Most famous for his maritime subjects, Grant is able to combine a strong sense of light and mood with such accurate naval architecture details that his works could almost serve as blueprints. His painting of the USS Constitution, “Old Ironsides,” is part of the White House collection and has hung in the Oval Office.
Gloucester, 1887
The etchings of Stephen Maxfield Parrish achieved both critical and popular acclaim as he became known as one of the most skilled – and most popular – etchers of his time. This large, detailed depiction of the Gloucester waterfront is considered as one of his masterpieces. The rare, small image by the artist at the lower center of the work, known as a “remarque”, adds additional collector’s value to this print, along with the ornate pencil signature.