LOT DETAILS

Materials:

Oil on canvas

Size Notes:

Framed 37 x 43 in

Markings:

Signed and dated indistinctly lower right T; Titled on frame plaque.

Provenance:

Provenance: Collection of Mrs. George Arden New York. Christie's Sale 1257 July 29 2003 Lot #153.</i> <i>One of if not the first American marine painters Thomas Birch was born in London and immigrated to the United States with his father engraver and enamel miniaturist William Russell Birch in 1794. The father and son worked together as William Birch and Son in Philadelphia notably designing and engraving a subscription series of topographic views of the city that were purchased by the likes of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Birch painted figural and ship portraits before the War of 1812 during which he became known for his depictions of naval battles. He is said to have produced the paintings as quickly after the battle as he could. He also painted dramatic shipwreck scenes as seen here purportedly based on the accounts of the survivors. In the 1830s he began painting landscapes developing a reputation for his snow scenes filled with skating and sleigh riding. He also designed coins for the U.S. Mint. </i> <i>From an Important Private Collection Greenwich Connecticut</i>.