Sale 1296
| Palm Beach
| Palm Beach
To request further details about this lot, please email palmbeachcr@hindmanauctions.com
Madalina Lazen
VP Head of Department, Old Masters & 19th Century European Art
Donna Tribby
AVP, Senior Specialist, Furniture & Decorative Arts
Provenance:
The Artist
By descent to his son, Jean Paul Nuse
By descent from the above to his son, Gene Nuse, Missouri
Sold: Freeman's, Philadelphia, June 27, 2004, Lot 193
Private Collection, New Jersey, acquired at the above sale
Sold: Freeman's, Philadelphia, December 6, 2015, Lot 125
Born in Springfield, Ohio in 1885, Roy Cleveland Nuse was encouraged at the age of 20 to enroll at the Cincinnati Art Academy, where he worked under Frank Duveneck. Nuse then studied with New Hope School teacher Daniel Garber at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA) from 1915-18 while teaching part-time at the Beachwood School. During this period, he moved his family to rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he lived and painted for almost 60 years, working in a plein-air, impressionist style. He, with his artist wife, Ellen Guthrie Nuse, had six children that were often the subjects of some of his best paintings, especially in outdoor, rural, farm settings. In 1925, Nuse was offered a teaching position at PAFA, where he taught until 1954, after which he taught privately at his home. Although Nuse lived in Bucks County most of his life, he avoided becoming a part of the New Hope School, despite knowing many of the artists in the group, as he preferred to keep to himself and his family.
Three Boys at the Sheephole belongs to a series of canvases that depict Nuse's children in the woods, and which the artist referred to as "boys in the glen." His six children were favorite models and subjects, who he often staged in the Rushland Valley, near the Neshaminy and Mill Creeks. According to Robin Nuse, the artist's granddaughter, the two figures on the left of the painting were posed for by the artist's son Paul, with the remaining figure on the right his other son, Oliver. The “boys in the glen” series follows a long academic tradition that places a group of figures (in this case children), unclothed as nymphs, walking, or sitting near shimmering pools of water or in woodland tableaux. Additionally, although Nuse used his own children as models, he paints them almost anonymously, portraying them as innocents in a storybook setting, almost as if they are a fairy tale brought to life. The suggestion of mythological creatures gamboling in an idyllic landscape is heightened by the artist’s use of dappled sunlight and shimmering colors, as well as carefully placed compositional elements, such as the overarching branches and curving rocks. The tranquil vision, with its private, intimate setting, creates a sense of pure and innocent beauty and unsullied youth.
Framed: 44 x 38 inches.
Canvas not lined. There is some craquelure on the figure standing at left. Otherwise, the surface is in good condition. Under UV light: no apparent inpainting. Additional images available upon request.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's | Hindman.
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email palmbeachcr@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
Donna Tribby is a senior specialist in the Southeast region at Hindman.
Ms. Tribby joined the firm in 2013 and has handled notable auctions and collections such as those of Phillip and Mary Hullitar and the Kennedy Winter White House. She uses her extensive experience on daily basis to evaluate property from large collections and estates across all categories. She has over 38 years of experience in the art world, previously serving as Vice President of the Catalogue and Appraisal department at Sloan & Company Fine Art Auctioneers and Director of a major Palm Beach gallery. After her tenure as director, she went on to open Waddington & Tribby Fine Art in Boca Raton and West Palm Beach.
