1920s American Impressionist Portrait Painting of a Child by Mary Fairchild Low, Framed

Description

Oil on canvas painting of a child, 15" by 12" plus present framing several inches wide on a side, signed … more Oil on canvas painting of a child, 15" by 12" plus present framing several inches wide on a side, signed at lower left and dated there 1927 or possibly 1929. This is a work by the noted American woman impressionist, MARY FAIRCHILD LOW (1858-1946). Her skill in Impressionism was refined by her time at the Giverny art colony in France and on Cape Ann, Massachusetts. Note the impressionistically rendered clothing contrasted with the finished face. Low was born in New Haven, Connecticut to "Blue Blood" parents, a descendant of Gov. William Bradford of Mayflower fame. After a time in St. Louis, the young artist studied in Paris under Carolus-Duran, Jules-Joseph Lefebvre, Robert-Fleury, and William Bouguereau. Her time at Giverny enabled her to meet and learn from leading artists at the famed art colony. Low was divorced from sculptor Frederic MacMonnies in 1909, subsequently marrying artist Will Hickok Low. In the latter part of her life, she painted in Bronxville, New York in suburban New York City. A masterwork by the artist was auctioned for $160,000 in 2004. Other paintings of children have exceeded $10,000 at auction. This work is in good condition, with a clean surface. There is large-pattern craquelure that is stable (see photo taken at angle, more available upon request). It is noticeable primarily when the painting is viewed at an angle, and is much less apparent when viewed head-on. The frame was intact when I acquired this in Vero Beach, Florida, however much of the lower portion crumbled in transport. I have retained some of the broken sections should the buyer elect to repair the frame. less