87

CHARLES COURTNEY CURRAN

American, 1861-1942

Heirlooms

oil on canvas
signed lower right "Charles C. Curran", signed and numbered on the reverse "206-1 / CCC"
22 1/4 x 18 1/4 inches

  • Provenance: M.A. Newhouse & Sons Gallery, St. Louis, Missouri (1922-1923); sold to a Private Collector; descended in the family until 2005; Private Collection, Connecticut; Private Collection, Florida.
  • Notes: A copy of the research report compiled by Kaycee Benton, Charles Courtney Curran scholar, accompanies this lot.

    Framed dimensions: 30 x 26 x 2 1/2 inches

    Charles Courtney Curran was born in Kentucky and raised in Ohio. He first studied at the Cincinnati School of Design before moving to New York City in 1882. In New York City he attended the National Academy of Design (N.A.D.) and the Art Students League. He exhibited his first painting at the N.A.D. in 1883 at 23 years old. From 1888-1891 Curran studied at the Academie Julian in Paris. While abroad, he successfully exhibited works at the Paris Salon and at Durand-Ruel Gallery.

    In 1891, Curran returned to the States where he continued to enjoy success exhibiting at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the N.A.D., the Exposition Universelle in Paris, the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, the Louisiana Purchase exhibition and many others. He was elected a full Academician of the N.A.D. in 1904.

    The present lot from 1922 was painted by Curran in his New York City Studio at 39 West 67th Street. In April 1922, soon after it was painted, Curran sent it to M.A. Newhouse & Sons Gallery in St. Louis, Missouri. M.A. Newhouse & Sons Gallery and Curran were closely affiliated for many years. The painting is listed in Curran's record book as 206-1.

    In 1921, the Curran family traveled to Venice and purchased a pair of Venetian glass vases, one of which was damaged soon after returning home. The undamaged vase was used by Curran in Heirlooms.

    From the beginning of his career as an art teacher, Curran would choose some of his students as models. Before these young women could begin their modeling sessions with the artist, they had to be interviewed and given approval by Curran's wife, Grace Wickham Curran. Most of these student-models would be paid an hourly rate and invariably would end up with extra private art lessons from Curran. According to Curran scholar, Kaycee Benton, the model for this painting was one of Curran's students (see photo).

    For 40 years Curran and his family would summer in Cragsmoor, New York, a growing artist colony since the late 19th century. The artist and his family were very active in the community participating in summer social activities and helping to improve the town.

    Curran's work is in the permanent collections of the Terra Museum of American Art in Illinois, National Museum of Art, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, the Witte Memorial Museum in Texas, the Fort Worth Art Museum in Texas, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Vassar College in New York and many other notable public and private collections.



    tags: American, 19th century, Venetian glass, oil painting, portrait
  • Condition: relined canvas; slight crazing in the hair; in a quality reproduction frame

    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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