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ANTHONY THIEME

American, 1888-1954

"Cleaning the Nets"

oil on canvas
signed lower right "A Thieme"
30 x 36 in. (76.2 x 91.4 cm.), Frame: 37 1/4 x 43 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. (94.6 x 110.5 x 6.4 cm.)

  • Provenance: Christie's, New York, New York, March 16, 1990, lot 200; Private Collection, Florida; Shannon's, Milford, Connecticut, May 1, 2008, lot 48; Private Collection, Florida
  • Notes:

    Anthony Thieme was a Dutch-American artist renowned for his vibrant and dynamic paintings, particularly those depicting the coastal scenes of Rockport, Massachusetts. He immigrated to the United States in 1917 and established himself as a prominent figure in the American art scene. He settled in Rockport, where he established the Thieme School of Art at Cape Ann, teaching classes through 1943.

    Thieme's Rockport paintings are characterized by their bold colors, expressive brushstrokes, and dramatic lighting. He captured the essence of the town's bustling harbor, weathered fishing shacks, and rocky coastline with a sense of energy and immediacy. His works often feature boats bobbing in the water, fishermen at work, and the play of sunlight on the sea. This painting, Cleaning the Nets, depicts one of the artists most popular and sought after subject matters.

    Thieme's artistic style was influenced by both European Impressionism and American Regionalism. He combined the loose brushwork and emphasis on light and color of the Impressionists with a distinctly American focus on everyday life and local scenery. He favored painting en plein air, meaning outside, because it allowed him to capture the changing light and color in his paintings. He once remarked, "The open air is my studio... A good landscape painter must paint fast to catch the light of any hour."

    Thieme's legacy as a painter of Rockport endures today. His works are highly sought after by collectors and are exhibited in museums and galleries across the country. He is remembered as a master of color and light, and his paintings continue to capture the spirit of Rockport's vibrant coastal community.
  • Condition: in very good overall condition, lined canvas, on a new stretcher, a few very minor dots of scattered restoration visible under UV

    CONDITION REPORTS FOR THE AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A CONDITION REPORT ON THIS LOT. THE ABSENCE OF A CONDITION REPORT OR THE ABSENCE OF A REFERENCE TO DAMAGE DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE LOT IS IN GOOD CONDITION OR FREE FROM RESTORATION OR REPAIR.

    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. 
    NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE. 

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April 30, 2026 6:00 PM EDT
Milford, CT, US

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