(American, 1813-1857)

Francis Marion Crossing the Pee Dee, 19th century copy after William Tylee Ranney, New York/New Jersey, 1813-1857, unsigned, oil on canvas, label verso "APG 5783 D", partial label verso "...orth Atheneum...Conn" (possibly Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut), 29-7/8 x 40-1/8 in.; 20th century carved and gilt wood frame, 34-3/4 x 44-3/4 in.

Note: A rare period copy of William T. Ranney's iconic original, painted in 1850 and now in the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth Texas, this image offers a glimpse of the spirit that drove the Southern effort against the British in the Revolutionary war. Symbolic of the right of passage into freedom, it depicts a determined group of men, headed by General Francis Marion, the "Swamp Fox", crossing the Pee Dee River in an obvious wilderness. This theme was very popular with Ranney, who became famous depicting Southern heroes such as Francis Marion, Kit Carson, Daniel Boone, and the American frontier effort.

Provenance: Brunk Auctions, Asheville, North Carolina, The Estate of Sally Abney Rose, purchased in 2007 for $32,200 (includes original receipt); Property from an Important Charleston Collection

Lined with wax and linen, craquelure, retouch affecting 15 percent of surface, all edges, trees, figures; frame with some separation at corners and light wear