HELEN MARIA TURNER
American (1858-1958)
"Portrait of Anne Spencer," c. 1925
oil on canvas, signed and inscribed lower left "Helen M. Turner N.Y."
40 x 30 inches

Provenance: Mr. Lawrence Spencer Pratt, Williamsville, New York; Private Collection, New York.

Exhibitions: National Arts Club, New York, New York, "Member's Annual Exhibition of Paintings and Sculpture" January 13 - February 6, 1926; The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., "Tenth Exhibition Contemporary American Oil Paintings, 1926;" Cragsmoor Free Library, Cragsmoor, New York," Helen M. Turner, N.A., "A Retrospective Exhibition," July 2 - 17 1983; Akron Art Museum, Akron, Ohio, September 11 - November 6, 1983; Jersey City Museum, Jersey City, New Jersey, December 10, 1983 - February 1, 1984; Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, Owensboro, Kentucky, March 2 - April 5, 1984.

Literature: A copy of the exhibition catalog accompanies the lot.

Other Notes: A label from Akron Art Museum, Akron, Ohio is on the reverse.

Tags: portrait, American Impressionism, female artist, woman artist, 20th century

Trained at New York's Art Students League and Cooper Union in the late 1890s, Helen Maria Turner was also a beloved member of the Cragsmoor Artist Colony. Her typically quiet, yet lush works place her in the company of well-known American Impressionists such as Mary Cassatt, John Singer Sargent and, her friend, William Merritt Chase. Her figurative works, the vast majority of which focused on women and girls, are her most iconic. The unique beauty in these figurative paintings lies in her uncanny ability to evoke some facet of her sitter's true personalities - seemingly effortlessly captured in moments of everyday activity or moments of contemplation.

Turner was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1858 to upper middle-class parents - her father was a prosperous coal merchant, and her mother was the daughter of a doctor, and the granddaughter of John Pintard, founder of the New York Historical Society (1804) and the American Academy of Fine Arts (1816). In the aftermath of the Civil War, the family lost their fortune and by the age of thirteen, Turner was orphaned. Subsequently living with her uncle's family in challenging financial conditions, Turner struggled for years with the dilemma of how to support herself on the outskirts of the genteel society she was been born into.

While attending classes at Tulane University and the New Orleans Artists' Association, Turner was encouraged by her instructor Bror Anders Wikstrom to move to New York and enter the Art Students League. She began to show her art in New York during these early years, she also enrolled at Columbia's Teachers College and began teaching as a temporary instructor. From 1902 to 1919, she taught scores of young women drafting - training them to sketch rapidly, a skill needed by fashion houses, magazines, department stores, and greeting card companies to name a few. At the same time, her presence in the gallery world grew and after 1906 her paintings were regularly included in juried museum shows around the country.

In 1912, her Young Woman with Jewels won the National Arts Prize for 'best work in the exhibition' and was sold to the distinguished collector George A. Hearn. Her work was notably included in the traveling exhibition of 1917 "Six American Women" along with Mary Cassatt, Jane Peterson, Martha Walter, Alice Schille, and Johanna H. K. Hailmann. In 1921, Turner became the fourth woman to be elected to full Academician status by the National Academy of Design, and the first from Louisiana.

In 1906, Turner became acquainted with the Cragsmoor Artist Colony near Ellenville, New York, through the Impressionist Charles Courtney Curran. The years from 1905 to 1926 were her most active and the influence of Cragsmoor on those years was undeniable. She was known to have a stunning garden with the most unusual flora, a clear inspiration for what could be thought of as the 'Cragsmoor effect' on her work - sun-dappled foliage painted in a mosaic of shimmering colors. But the effects of summer light and colors were not all that went into these works, it was also the quiet energy of a small enclave in the mountains, far removed from the hustle and bustle of New York City. The famed collector and critic Duncan Philips who owned several of her works described her as "a painter of unpretentious portraits, of landscapes with gentle girls in gardens, of the intimate hours of life in the seclusion of homes. Miss Turner reveals, unconsciously, the woman's point of view. Her interiors are especially feminine with their swift yet searching glance over the texture of materials, the influence of light, the character of a room, and the relation of people to their dwelling place." [1]

Portrait of Ann Spencer depicts the young Ann Spencer (Pratt). About 12 years old at the time, Spencer would later become a well-known painter herself and surely was inspired by her time spent at Cragsmoor. Spencer is perched on the artist's porch in Cragsmoor enveloped by the luscious foliage of the garden, with a play of sun and shadow across her figure. She seems destined for some great activity. This painting is one of the last major canvases by Turner not already in a museum collection.

Conditions of Sale

Shannon's LLC Fine Art Auctioneers acts solely as an agent for various owners and consignors. It exercises care in describing all
items listed and uses judgment in attributing authorship, but offers
no guarantee regarding authenticity, condition, or description.
The items described in this catalog, which description may be
amended by notice or announcement at sale time, are offered for
sale by Shannon's LLC as agent for various owners or others
authorized to sell the items. Hereinafter, Shannon's LLC is referred to
as the Sellers agent. The owners or others authorized to sell the
items are hereinafter referred to as Sellers. The person or persons
acknowledged by the auctioneer to be the highest bidder on an
item shall be hereinafter referred to as the Buyer or Buyers.
Shannon's LLC reserves the right to change the terms of sale by oral
announcement. Any such change shall become part of the
Conditions of Sale. By placing of a bid, whether present at the sale
in person or by agent, by written or oral bid, by telephone or other
means, the Buyer agrees to be bound by these conditions of sale.
1. The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be
the Buyer. In the event of any dispute between bidders, the
auctioneer has the absolute discretion to determine which
bidder is the successful Buyer or to re-offer the item in dispute
and resell it.
2. In the event of any dispute after the sale, Shannon's LLC's record
of the final sale price and of the successful buyer shall be
conclusive, Shannon's LLC reserves the right to withdraw any
item before or during the sale.
3. Shannon's LLC reserves the right to sell items which are not listed
in the catalog.
4. Items in the auction are sold subject to a reserve. Such reserve is
confidential, but in no case will the reserve exceed the low
estimate. The auctioneer may reject any bid or increment not
commensurate with the value of the lot.
5. Order bids are accepted. A deposit may be required. Absent
parties may place bids by mail, email, fax or in person prior to the
sale. Order bids must be placed 24 hours prior to the day of sale.
Shannon's LLC will execute such bids up to the maximum
amount specified. Phones must be reserved 24 hours prior to the
day of sale. Phone bidders are encouraged to leave a cover bid
in case of technical failure. Shannon's is not responsible for errors
or omissions in the execution of these bids.
6. A premium of 25% of the successful bid will be applied to the
individual hammer price of all lots sold, to be paid by the buyer
as part of the purchase price. Purchases made through
Invaluable will be subject to an additional 5% charge (30%
total buyer's premium) and purchases made online through
shannons.com will be subject to an additional 2% charge
(27% buyer's premium). Payment may be made by, check,
ACH or wire transfer. Visa, MasterCard and Amex may
be used up to the amount of $5,000 per auction. We currently
collect sales tax in CT, KS, MA, MI, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI and
VA and remit the appropriate sales tax. If we do not collect sales
tax in your state, it is still your responsibility to pay the proper tax
on your purchases.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE PAID FOR WITHIN 7 DAYS OF THE SALE, AT
WHICH POINT THEY WILL BE RELEASED FOR SHIPMENT OR DELIVERY.
7. Limited Warrantee: Although Shannon's LLC exercises due care
in describing the items listed and use good judgment in attributing authorship; it does not make any express or implied warrantee as to such authorship. Notwithstanding, Shannon's LLC may,
but shall have no obligation to, consider any reasonable request
for refund on the grounds of authenticity of authorship only and
only under the following conditions:
A. Notification must be made to Shannon's in writing within
7 days of receipt of the item.
B. The items must be returned within 28 days of the sale,
accompanied by written testimony from a recognized
authority that the lot in question is a forgery.
C. The limited warrantee does not extend to the lots identified
as attributions, school, circle, manner, or after.
D. The limited warrantee is applicable only to the original Buyer.
8. All property is sold "as is".
9. As a convenience to the Buyer, Shannon's LLC will make a
referral for packing and shipping. This is at the request, expense,
and risk of the Buyer, and Shannon's assumes no responsibility for
the items or the timing of delivery. Insurance for in transit items is
the responsibility of the buyer. All items must be removed within
30 days post sale or a fee of up to $20 per day will be charged
for storage. Items not collected within twelve months of a sale
will become the property of Shannon's.
10. Shannon's has retained the Art Loss Register to check all
uniquely identifiable items offered for sale in the catalog that
are estimated for $5,000 or more against the computerized
database of stolen or lost artwork maintained by the Art Loss
Register. A search certificate can be provided by the Art Loss
Register for an additional fee. The Art Loss Register does not
guarantee the provenance or title of any catalogued item
against which they search, and will not be liable for any direct
or consequential losses of any nature howsoever arising. The
statement is not to affect, detract from, or override Shannon's
Conditions of Sale, and in the event of any conflict, Shannon's
Conditions of Sale will take priority to the terms of this statement.
BIDDING AT THIS AUCTION, WHETHER IN PERSON, BY AGENT, ORDER
BID, TELEPHONE, INTERNET OR OTHER MEANS, CONSTITUTES YOUR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE "CONDITIONS
OF SALE".
CONDITIONS OF SALE
After: A work of art or object made in the style of an artist or maker, but not by the artist. Sometimes refers multiples that may have used an
artist's mold or plate, but were reproduced by someone other than the artist, including posthumous works. Can also be used to describe a
direct reproduction after an original work of art.
Attributed (attr.): In our opinion, probably or possibly a work of art by the artist. The work is either unsigned, and/or lacks adequate provenance or authentication by experts in the field.
Bears Signature: The work is signed, but the work and signature may not be by the hand of the artist.
Manner of: Made in the likeness or style of an artist, with a slight possibility that it was made by the artist or by a follower or student of the
artist. Also see "After" and "Attributed".
Possibly: Being something that may or may not be true or actual without guarantee.
Probably: Supported by evidence strong enough to establish presumption but not proof. We do not guarantee it to be true.
School: Usually relates to a particular artistic or aesthetic movement. It can also relate to an actual school or to followers of a particular artist
or maker. Also see: "Manner of", "Style", "Attributed to" and "After".
Style: After the time period in which the style originated, or a more recent reproduction (ie: Style of Pablo Picasso or Cubist Style), used to
refer to the style of a particular artist or artistic movement, generally made long after that time period.

Contract

Your bid is a binding and legal contract. BIDDING AT THIS AUCTION, WHETHER IN PERSON, BY AGENT, ORDER BID, TELEPHONE, INTERNET OR OTHER MEANS, CONSTITUTES YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ACCEPTANCE OF THESE "CONDITIONS OF SALE".

Payment Information

Payment may be made by cash, check or wire transfer. Visa, Master Card and Amex may be used up to the amount of $5,000 per auction. We currently
collect sales tax in CT, KS, MA, MI, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI and
VA and remit the appropriate sales tax. If we do not collect sales
tax in your state, it is still your responsibility to pay the proper tax
on your purchases.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE PAID FOR WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE SALE, AT WHICH POINT THEY WILL BE RELEASED FOR SHIPMENT OR DELIVERY.

Shipping Information

As a convenience to the Buyer, Shannon's LLC will make a referral
for packing and shipping. For a preliminary quote you may contact Jeff Von Flatern at [email protected] or 203-453-8866.
Shipping is at the request, expense, and risk
of the Buyer, and Shannon's assumes no responsibility for the
items or the timing of delivery. Insurance for in transit items is the
responsibility of the buyer.

Buyer's Premium

A premium of 25% of the successful bid will be applied to the
individual hammer price of all lots sold, to be paid by the buyer
as part of the purchase price. Purchases made through
Invaluable will be subject to an additional 5% charge (30%
total buyer's premium) and purchases made online through
shannons.com will be subject to an additional 2% charge
(27% buyer's premium). Payment may be made by, check,
ACH or wire transfer. Visa, MasterCard and Amex may
be used up to the amount of $5,000 per auction. We currently
collect sales tax in CT, KS, MA, MI, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI and
VA and remit the appropriate sales tax. If we do not collect sales
tax in your state, it is still your responsibility to pay the proper tax
on your purchases.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE PAID FOR WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE SALE, AT WHICH POINT THEY WILL BE RELEASED FOR SHIPMENT OR DELIVERY.

Taxes on your purchase

We currently collect sales tax in CT, KS, MA, MI, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI and
VA and remit the appropriate sales tax. If we do not collect sales
tax in your state, it is still your responsibility to pay the proper tax
on your purchases.
ALL ITEMS MUST BE PAID FOR WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE SALE, AT WHICH POINT THEY WILL BE RELEASED FOR SHIPMENT OR DELIVERY.

Condition Statement & Glossary of Terms

Shannon's LLC Fine Art Auctioneers acts solely as an agent for various owners and consignors. It exercises care in describing all items listed and uses judgment in attributing authorship, but offers no guarantee regarding authenticity, condition, or description. The items described in this catalog, which description may be amended by notice or announcement at sale time, are offered for sale by Shannon's LLC as agent for various owners or others authorized to sell the items.

Glossary of Terms:
After:A work of art or object made in the style of an artist or maker, but not by the artist. Sometimes refers multiples that may have used an artist's mold or plate, but were reproduced by someone other than the artist, including posthumous works. Can also be used to describe a direct reproduction after an original work of art.
Attributed (attr.):In our opinion, probably or possibly a work of art by the artist. The work is either unsigned, and/or lacks adequate provenance or authentication by experts in the field.
Bears Signature: The work is signed, but the work and signature may not be by the hand of the artist.
Manner of: Made in the likeness or style of an artist, with a slight possibility that it was made by the artist or by a follower or student of the artist. Also see "After" and "Attributed".
Possibly:Being something that may or may not be true or actual without guarantee.
Probably:Supported by evidence strong enough to establish presumption but not proof. We do not guarantee it to be true.
School:Usually relates to a particular artistic or aesthetic movement. It can also relate to an actual school or to followers of a particular artist or maker. Also see:"Manner of", "Style", "Attributed to" and "After".
Style:After the time period in which the style originated, or a more recent reproduction (ie: Style of Pablo Picasso or Cubist Style), used to refer to the style of a particular artist or artistic movement, generally made long after that time period.