Newly discovered Yosemite Valley painting up for bids

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A newly discovered painting by Thomas Hill, “Silver Strand Falls,” is coming before bidders. The painting shows Yosemite Valley in its untouched beauty. Plus, a Grace Hudson of a Pomo child and a Horatio Nelson Poole Hawaiian landscape are highlights. It is on offer by Witherell’s on May 17, 2017.

The American West at Auction will be present at Witherell's auction gallery and online.

The framed oil-on-canvas of a waterfall in Yosemite by Hill (1829-1908) bears the signature of “T. Hill” lower right. It measures 24.75 by 20-inch framed, 18.75 by 14-inch canvas.

Considered one of the leading nineteenth century landscape painters and a re-eminent California artist, Hill immigrated from England in 1844, studied art in Philadelphia and lived in Taunton, Ma. as well as San Francisco. He made his living from his art—Yosemite and the Grand Canyon being some of his favorite subjects.

“Silver Strand Falls” (estimate $5,000-$10,000) comes to Witherell’s from the Estate of Dr. James Andrew Crane (1910-2007), Lafayette, Calif., and from there by family descent.

Grace Hudson’s (1865-1937) untitled framed oil on canvas from 1898 depicts a young child in a fur coat. Signed lower left, “G. Hudson,” it appears as “The Painter Lady, Grace Carpenter Hudson” by Searles Boynton as No. 152.

It accompanies a photograph of an 1987 Ted Samuel, San Francisco, appraisal that includes the painting and bears an estimate of $35,000.00.

The painting is 13 by 10.37-inch framed, 8.37 by 5.62-inch by sight.

Born in California, Hudson’s showing “Little Mendocino” at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair launched her career. The appeal of her work then and now is in how she captured the local native Pomo people in their everyday activities and life. Even though much of her work was lost in a 1906 earthquake, impeccable records document the remaining art, which is photographed and numbered in sequence.

From the collection of William Oliver, Berkeley, Ca, thence by direct family descent, this gem is estimated at $5,000-$10,000.

An untitled Horatio Nelson Poole (1884-1949) of the Hawaiian coast with the

signature “HN Poole / 1917” The oil on canvas board measures 11 by 14 inch in frame, 12.75 by 16 inch board.

Poole’s work adds an interesting twist to the Plein Air school of painting. Pre-World War II paintings are scarce but also popular because they record the pre-war life of the islands. This painting had sold only once before. 

Poole was born in New Jersey, but lived in Hawaii from 1914 to 1921.He had his own artist colony in Honolulu and while the scene is unknown, it is dated when he lived there.

In 1921, Poole left Hawaii for San Francisco to teach at the California School of Fine Arts and at the University of California, Berkeley. He spent the rest of his life in California. It's an acquisition of an Arizona estate sale for a few dollars (estimate $5,000-$10,000). 

“The Conference Tree,” a framed oil on board painting by Conrad Schwiering (American, 1916-1986) is signed lower right. The painting also bears a small label verso, “No. 255 / The / Conference / Tree” as well as larger label with original price, $2,500. 

Estimated at $1,000 to $2,500, the painting is 21 by 25-inch in frame and 12 by 16-inch board. It's discovery is courtesy of a local estate among lots of decorative paintings.

Schwiering earned his juris doctorate from the University of Wyoming, but moved to New York to study at the Art Students League after graduation.

He moved to Jackson Hole, Wyo., after World War II to paint the Teton mountains that would define his career.

A member of the National Academy of Western Art, Schwiering was particularly known for the scenes of Teton National Park, which he painted from his studio.

Founded in 1969, Witherell’s auctions of objects of value—from decorative arts and design to antiques and fine art—to the global online market and places items through private sales.

For more information, visit www.witherells.com or call (916) 446-6490.