Inside and Out
Debra Force Fine Art mounts exhibition spotlighting 19th-century American genre, marine and still life paintings
Debra Force Fine Art mounts exhibition spotlighting 19th-century American genre, marine and still life paintings
January 15-February 23 Debra Force Fine Art, Inc. 13 E. 69th Street, Suite 4F New York, NY 10021 t: (212) 734-3636 www.debraforce.com
American artwork of the 19th century is often filled with a sense of narrative, allowing viewers to be captured by the subject matter before them. In the upcoming show Inside and Out: 19th Century American Genre, Marine, and Still Life Paintings at Debra Force Fine Art in New York City, approximately 35 works in the three themes will take viewers on individual journeys through the artists’ eyes.the show, on view January 15 through February 23, will include pieces by luminaries of their themes as well as lesser-known names. Romanticism painter William Bradford is most recognized for his Arctic seascapes that are often filled with icebergs and ships. In the show at Debra Force Fine Art will be his painting After
the Storm, an 1861 work depicting a scene off the coast of Martha’s vineyard.
“It’s exciting because it’s an identifiable American scene,” says Bethany Dobson, director of the gallery. “When most people think of his work and his marine paintings, it’s really about glowing sunsets, icebergs and ships. we’re happy to be working with this piece. It’s obviously a very dramatic scene and has the American flag. It’s a ship that’s been through a rather rigorous journey at sea during a storm. Having it come home with this flag off the back, you see these small figures of sailors on the deck and the other ship swooping in on the right to help them; it’s a nice story.”
Other maritime pieces in the show will include James Bard’s The James A. Stevens and a work by Antonio Jacobson. The genre portion of the exhibition features an early Newyork City scene by Charles Weir and a rare work by James Henry Beard.
There also is a piece by Eastman Johnson titled The Lesson depicting two children reading a picture book on a red sofa.the work speaks to the tradition of genre paintings, which recall moments of everyday life. In Johnson’s piece, the two children are immersed in a moment in time, creating a more candid, intimate scene