My View of Life on the Dock
The full moon of February is most often called the Snow Moon, but some Native American tribes called it the Hunger Moon or the Storm Moon. After this past week’s nor’easter, I think perhaps Storm Moon is most apt. The full moon actually took place over the cusp of February 28th and March 1st, and just as it occurred in the month of January 2018 when we had two full moons, the end of March will bring a Blue Moon.
I do not think it is a kayaking day.
You may have noticed that the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library is sporting noticebly thinned out collections, and it’s not just the books. Three Fitz Henry Lane paintings were moved across the street to the Cape Ann Museum: Gloucester Harbor (gifted to the Library by Judith M Todd); Sawyer Homestead Freshwater Cove, Gloucester; and Coasting Schooner off Boon Harbor, ME. Additionally, a portrait of Sawyer and a Bertha Menzler Payton painting are no longer on view.
Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library installation views- BEFORE (Lanes installed) / AFTER (Lanes removed)
You can click on the photos to read captions. The photo pair below show Lane Coasting Schooner replaced with a painting from the Addision Gilbert Hospital collection, a portrait of Sawyer and his wife
Lane painting installation views comparing Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library vs Cape Ann Museum
More photos from both collections
Cape Ann Museum is just across the street and it’s the world’s most vital Lane collection. Still, I wish the paintings could remain at the library. I lament my industry’s inability, all of us, actually– to find a way to make stewardship affordable for repositories just like this one. I’ve been thinking about the pros and cons of making copies for the library. When access to originals is difficult or impossible, copies can be a boon. For example the Madonna atop Our Lady of Good Voyage is a replica. The original is held at the Cape Ann Museum and affords close observation that was impossible from the street. The copy preserves the impact of the site. Two dimensional poster reproductions and painted copies are rarely more. Mostly, I advocate for originals. Here, original art was replaced with original art.
The gifts were for the library and Gloucester, in varying degrees of partnership with the library since Sawyer’s private endowment upon his death in 1889. The provenance paperwork for the Lanes can be deciphered differently depending upon context.
The Lanes leaving the library made me think about the James Prendergast Library collection deaccession, for operating funds and a new vision, rather than a relocation just across a city square. That library is located in Jamestown New York. The board consigned 44 paintings to two auction houses for November 2017 sales. The update is that several works did not find purchasers, failing to meet presale estimates. The board rejected lowball offers following the public sales, and the art remains with the auction houses to be sold in future to-be-determined sales. The New York Attorney General office denied a purchase offer that would have held the art in Jamestown, ruling instead for public auction. A makerspace was crafted from three extant rooms where a children’s computer coding Scratch class was offered at the time of the sales. Jamestown had cut annual funding for its library by $300,000. (see prior GMG posts November 20 2017 and auction results)
I was hoping the Lanes might be featured prominently and safely with any interior buildout proposals at Sawyer Free library, like this installation at the Currier (which was a temporary build out for a museum exhibition), and the library’s other works. The Matz gallery is pretty perfect for changing exhibits of local artists.
Beautiful January Wolf Moon rising and setting over Gloucester.
Moonsetting over the Harbor
Moonset over the Fort
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bdbmr8uFgVN/
One more photo from December’s Frost Moon at dawn. The moon was rapidly loosing color in the sun’s first light, but still beautiful I think.
Daybreak brought blustery winds, whitecaps in the harbor, and biting cold, but it was worth it to see our beautiful City in the early morning light.
The Edward Hopper etching The Lonely House was the star lot going into the sale and in the live auction last night. The print sold for $310,000 vaulting past its pre auction estimate of $150,000-$200,000.
Hopper’s Les Poilus circa 1915 surpassed its $15000-$20,000 pre-sale estimate as well, selling for $42,500. I’ve sold an impression of the Lonely House before but I’ve only scene Les Poilus in the Whitney collection.
The sale featured Old Master through Modern prints by American and European artists.
Here’s a link to the Swann Galleries catalogue for the November 4th 2017 sale 2460 and the Swann Galleries auction results. Images in this post are from Swann Galleries.
Besides Edward Hopper, there were prints by artists with Gloucester connections (or topics of interest such as a 1680 engraving of a beached whale).
Records were achieved for other prints like Martin Lewis, Relics, $55,000
a rare Odilon Redon 1892 lithograph sold for $47,500
and a Rembrandt 1631 etching, Self portrait with Cap Pulled Forward, that sold for $65,000.
See more highlights below the “read more” break from the nearly 500 prints that were sold at the November Swann Galleries auction.
Head to the Cape Ann museum Fitz Henry Lane exhibition Drawn from Nature and on Stone: The lithgraphs of Fitz Henry Lane to experience a great print show in person. Continue reading “Rare Edward Hopper print The Lonely House fetched record auction price @SwannGalleries”
Hilary shares photos from the last sails of the season and announces upcoming Wednesday 5PM talks:
“Here are some pics from yesterday as we wind down our season on the water.
Sail GHS will be conducting weekly chalk talks at FHL House with visiting experts in the field (notably, our own coach, Gordon Baird ,as well as Jamie Chicone,stationed here with the USCG, aboard Key Largo) every Wednesday @5 PM with pizza to follow. Visitors are welcome.
FHL House is the Fitz Henry Lane House at Harbor Loop. They “sail Mon-Thurs, 3-5:15 thru Oct 27”. Go check them out and join in sometime!
Continue reading “Action photos and Sail GHS announces 5pm Wednesday talks!”
CLOSING SOON
The blanketing New England autumn is stronger on the walls at Cape Ann Museum than the fall landscape all around us just now. (When I saw this ravishing exhibit at the beginning of June, I had that same feeling about ‘summer’.) Though the seasons of color may disappoint us one year to the next, the impact of these paintings only intensifies with close observation. This is a show for anyone with an interest in painting. Rockbound at Cape Ann Museum features a terrific variety of iconic Cape Ann seacoast scenes and artists. There’s an added urgency to see the show in person: most are on loan from private collections, shown together for the first time. Come fill your eyes and heart before this exclusive opportunity passes by.
Rockbound: Painting the American Scene on Cape Ann and Along the Shore closes October 29th.The Cape Ann Museum “gratefully acknowledges the many collectors* who lent to this exhibition and the following individuals: Mary Craven, Margaret Pearson, John Rando and Arthur Ryan.” *anonymous private lenders, Endicott College, Roswitha and William Trayes, JJ and Jackie Bell, and others
(The wonderful Fitz Henry Lane exhibition that just opened will be on view through March 4, 2018.)
3 works by W Lester Stevens
I think that the “Unattributed decorative mirror for over mantel” may be the hand of artist Frederick Stoddard. Perhaps it’s from a series or the “Morning Mantle Decoration by Fred L. Stoddard” that’s listed in the 1923 Gloucester Society of Artists inaugural exhibition.
Artists include Yarnall Abbott, Gifford Beal, George Bellows, Theresa Berenstein, Hugh Breckenridge, Stuart Davis, Marsden Hartley, Aldro Hibbard, Max Kuehne, Emma Fordyce Macrae, Margaret Patterson, Lester Stevens, Anthony Thieme, and more (hover over image to see artist information)
photos pairings below: Finding Cape Ann Museum Rockbound color/mood inspiration just outside in Gloucester October vistas (not literal place/time pairings but that could be done as well!)
Gorgeous sunset over Gloucester Harbor and Rocky Neck, with the colors of the sky flowing from red hot reds and oranges to soothing shades of violet pinks and blues. 
Within moments, the sky hues changed from orange to violet.
Foggy early morning scenes around the Harbor.
Castle in the Fog
City Hall and the Paint Factory
UU Church 
Cruise Ship American Constellation with Ten Pound Island and the Greasy Pole
The American Constellation is a 175-guest room cruise ship from American Cruise Lines. From the company’s website, “Designed to navigate the inland waterways of the East Coast, American Constellation brings guests to beautiful ports the larger ships can’t access. In the intimate atmosphere onboard, guests will find the largest staterooms in the industry, spacious lounges, as well as observation decks and private balconies that offer spectacular views of the passing landscapes.”
Seriously glistening summer day. Cape Ann SUP kypads are really holding up: we’re going on two years of steady use, after renting and taking lessons from Dominic. Gloucester is lucky to have several water sport shopping options. Besides Cape Ann SUP, we’ve had surf lessons, rented and purchased wetsuits (for guests, too) from Surfari on 210 Main Street. Cape Ann Divers in (Shaw’s) Cape Ann Marketplace is another place we’ve purchased various beach essentials and wetsuits.
Don’t forget- Join for the 1st ANNUAL CAPE ANN SUPahBOWL SATURDAY AUGUST 12 PAVILION BEACH GLOUCESTER MA http://www.capeannsup.com/cape-ann-paddleboard-events/
I keep meaning to ask him what he thinks about the self inflating type that went a tad viral in 2016. It’s still in development.
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-sup-revolution-self-inflating-sipaboards-air–2#/
2015 prototype
Mark Ring’s beautiful Stanley Thomas lobster boat on a rainy Friday afternoon.
Photos from the Fiesta Ferris wheel taken Thursday evening. Click the slideshow to see larger.
“A lot of my classmates from GHS Class of ’74 chartered the Harbor Shuttle for a 2HR cruise around the harbor. Our evening couldn’t have been more perfect. Old and dear classmates and some friends shared great conversation, an amazing night and a beautiful tour of the harbor where we all grew up. We all brought our own refreshments and let Steve do the driving . If you are looking to find a memorable way to enjoy the scenic view of the city and want a great evening with friends you should consider chartering Cape Ann Harbor Cruise.” – Pauline Bresnahan
http://www.capeannharbortours.com/shuttle.html
more photos
Continue reading “GHS Class of ’74 kick back & enjoy Gloucester Harbor Shuttle charter”
The Gloucester Harbor Police comes to the aid of a pleasure boat and tows them back to their mooring.
photos: © Catherine Ryan
Tulip Festival and bonnet parade Saturday 10AM
Ribbon Cutting 11:30AM
Party at Mile Marker Restaurant 6-10PM
Before April 2017 | After May 2017
Funding for future perennials funded in part by the Gloucester Community Preservation Act
Series:
Good Morning Gloucester 