WILLARD LEROY METCALF
American (1858-1925)
"In the Garden"
oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right "W.M Metcalf '78"
14 x 17 inches

Provenance: Sewell C. Biggs Museum, Dover, Delaware; Spanierman Gallery, New York, New York, 1996; Mrs. Alma Gilbert, 1996; Spanierman Gallery, New York, New York; R. H. Love, Chicago, Illinois; Private Collection, Illinois.

Exhibitions: Spanierman Gallery, New York, New York, "Willard Leroy Metcalf: An American Impressionist," November 21, 1995 - January 27, 1996.

Other Notes: This work will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonne being coordinated by Betty Krulik and the Willard Leroy Metcalf Catalogue Raisonne Project, Inc.

A founding member of the famed group "The Ten," Willard Leroy Metcalf has cemented his reputation as a leading figure in American Impressionism. Born in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1858, Metcalf begin his artistic training at an early age. His parents, interested in the occult, divined that their son was destined to be a painter and encouraged him in that direction. By 1875 he was apprenticed to wood engraver, George Loring Brown.

In 1876, Metcalf was one of five students offered a scholarship to attend the new School of Art at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. From 1877-1876 Metcalf took artistic anatomy courses from Dr. William Rimmer, an odd personality in the Boston artistic circle. Despite this, John La Farge, William Morris Hunt and Frank Benson all studied with Rimmer. Metcalf's figure drawings improved during this period.

It was during this time, as a young artist, when Metcalf painted In the Garden. Although he had not yet travelled to France, Metcalf was clearly absorbing a French Impressionist style and moving away from the influence of George Loring Brown.

Elizabeth de Veer notes in Sunlight and Shadow, "Two Vermont pictures of 1878, Landscape with Chickens, painted at Bridgewater, and In the Garden, probably done in Woodstock, strongly reflect the French style. The figure in In the Garden is reminiscent not only of Millet, in an American light, but also of Winslow Homer's figure pieces of the late sixties and early seventies, although the overall feeling is French."

The authors go on to describe the availability of paintings by American artists emulating a Barbizon style in Boston museums and private collections. Metcalf would have seen works by George Inness, Winckworth Allan Gay and Thomas Robinson. William Morris Hunt was a particularly influential figure in the Boston art scene bringing works by French Barbizon artists Couture and Millet to his Boston home. 1

In the Garden is an important work in Metcalf's oeuvre. It begins the story of a skilled artist who was drawn to French Impressionism from the start. Five years after the painting was completed, Metcalf travelled to France and immersed himself in the French Impressionist style. A decade or so later he would return to the States and become a distinctly American artist and the preeminent Impressionist painter of New England landscapes (see lot 58).

1 Elizabeth de Veer and Richard Boyle, Sunlight and Shadow: The Life and Art of Willard Leroy Metcalf, New York: Abbeville Press, 1987, pp. 168-169.

tags: oil painting, garden, 19th century, The Ten, woman

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.