(British, 1775-1851)

Blois, on the Banks of the Loire, unsigned, likely derived from the watercolor recorded on the Tate database (TW0718 Wilton 933), oil on canvas, 20 x 24 in.; gilt and painted wood and composition frame, 29-3/4 x 33-1/2 in.

Note:

In 1984, photographs of this painting were seen by Evelyn Joll, pre-eminent Turner scholar, who strongly suggested that it was not by Turner's hand. It has had a long history of being held by prominent collectors and galleries alike. According to Edward T. Stotesbury, former owner of this painting and a prominent art collector in his day, the painting was, "Purchased by Hermann Schaus for $9,800 at the David H. King, Jr. auction sponsored by the American Art Association in New York on February 18, 1896 (The New York Times, Feb 19, 1896, page 5, "A Rembrandt Brings $11,100). Consigned to Scott & Fowles of New York in 1922 under the name of "City of Blois."Sold April 8, 1937 for $4,100 as lot number 61 at the American Art Association auction to Nicholas Acquavella (The New York Times, April 9, 1937, page 17, "$4,100 Paid for Painting") and described as follows: Hazy view of the blue river spanned in the middle distance by the arches of a white bridge, the cream-colored mass of the chateau, with misty outlines of turrets and towers, rising at left. A roadway leads from the left foreground shaded by a russet tree; pedestrians in yellow and red costumes stand overlooking the water and numerous animated figures in boats.”

• See: http://www.stotesbury.com/art/ETSart1897.html
• https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/turner-blois-tw0718

, Provenance: Schwabe Collection, Hamburg, Germany; Hermann Schaus, purchased for $9,800 at the David H. King Auction sponsored by the American Art Association, New York, February 18,1896; Ex-collection of Edward T. Stotesbury (1849-1938), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; With Scott & Fowles, New York, in 1922 with the title of "City of Blois"; Nicholas Acquavella, purchased on April 8, 1937, lot 61, for $4,100; M. Knoedler & Co., New York (label verso); Louis Kaplan, New York; with T. Gilbert Brouillette Gallery, New York, working 1934-1958 (label verso); Ex-collection Mr. and Mrs. Morrie A. Moss, Memphis, Tennessee; Property from a Southern Institution

lined with linen, crackle, retouch primarily in sky with other areas in water, possibly areas of over cleaning at boats left, yellowed varnish; frame resurfaced