Mary Russell Smith

(American, 1842-1878)

Hen and Chicks in a Basket

oil on canvas

12 1/2 x 14 3/4 inches.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance:

Private Collection, Pennsylvania

Exhibited:

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1856 (per label verso)

Lot Note:

Mary Russell Smith was a pioneering American painter and illustrator, celebrated for her meticulous depictions of animals and still life. Born into a family of artists in Philadelphia, she quickly established her own reputation in a city where opportunities for women artists were limited. Smith exhibited widely, including at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and was recognized for her skillful technique, refined color palette, and naturalistic attention to detail. Her work not only exemplifies the highest standards of nineteenth-century American painting but also helped pave the way for women artists in Philadelphia to pursue professional careers in the arts.

Framed: 17 x 19 x 2 in.
The painting has been relined and there is scattered inpainting throughout, visible under UV light. There is craquelure throughout which has been stabilized, most visible in the lighter colored chicks. Additional images available upon request.

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Adrianne Wolkenberg

Specialist, Fine Art

[email protected]267.414.1252

Adrianne Wolkenberg joined Freeman's in 2019 as Business Manager for the Fine Arts Department and began as Cataloguer for Modern and Contemporary Art the following year.

She previously coordinated care and logistics for a prominent private contemporary art collection for 15 years, while also performing research for special exhibitions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

She has authored several articles on modern and contemporary art in exhibition catalogues including Cézanne and Beyond and Embracing the Contemporary: The Keith L. and Katherine Sachs Collection, both published by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Wolkenberg holds a master's degree in modern art from Columbia University and graduated magna cum laude from Cornell University, where she studied the history of art.

Women’s Work

Hen and Chicks in a Basket

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