Martha Walter (American, 1875–1976) Tea at the Country Club

About Auction

Live

American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists

By Freeman's

Jun 6, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-06-06 14:00:00 2021-06-06 14:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/freemans/american-art-and-pennsylvania-impressionists-6984
Freeman’s is pleased to present Sylvia Shaw Judson’s Bird Girl, the highlight of the June 6 auction. In addition to the sculpture, this auction will also feature several notable works by significant American artists, including Daniel Garber, Norman Rockwell, Edward Redfield, and William Harnett. Freeman's info@freemansauction.com

View Full Catalog (89)

• Lot Description
  Martha Walter (American, 1875–1976) Tea at the Country Club

  Signed 'Martha Walter' bottom center right; also titled and signed (twice) verso, and with the 'Estate of Martha Walter' stamp verso, oil on board
  14 x 17 3/4 in. (35.6 x 45.1cm)
  Executed circa 1920.

  
  
  

  Provenance

  The Artist.
  The Estate of the Artist (no. 49).
  David David Gallery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  Acquired directly from the above on March 15, 1989.
  Private Collection, Fort Worth, Texas.

  
  
  Footnote:

  Note

  Impressionist Martha Walter was born in Philadelphia in 1875. She was a student at the University of the Arts, as well as the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where she studied under William Merritt Chase. While at the Academy, she received the prestigious Cresson Scholarship, which allowed her to travel to Europe to continue her education. She visited Spain, the Netherlands, and Italy, before enrolling at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière in France. When World War I broke out, Walter returned to the United States and began painting plein-air subjects such as Ellis Island, the fishing village of Gloucester, as well as portraits of children. She received many awards throughout her long career (she died at 101), and her work is still visible in the permanent collections of the Musée d'Orsay in Paris, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, as well as the Detroit Institute of Arts, and the Cincinnati Art Museum.

  Her intimate depictions of women (often mothers) and children is what she is best known for today. Such themes earned her great critical acclaim early on in her career, as well as financial success and as such, she frequently returned to them. Tea at the Country Club and A Day at the Beach are two quintessential examples of Walter's inimitable talent. Both are rendered in her typical impressionistic style and vivid palette, and perfectly capture, in the shortest and quickest dabts of paint, the world of delicacy and gentile sophistication that Walter was a part of. Both oils were painted at the height of the artist's fame, and feature the artist's characteristic figures at leisure, whether it is a peaceful moment of sociability spent at a fashionable Country Club, or a joyful afternoon spent amongst family members at the beach. Each work conveys the same vitality and energy. Specifically, they showcase Walter's love of contrasts between soft, pastel-like hues (such as the ones used to depict the lush garden enveloping the elegant ladies, or the children's rosy-cheeks on the beach), and the deep, bright colors surrounding them, whether it is the shimmering dresses of the country club going ladies, or the jewel-like balloons floating against the pale blue sky.

  
  
  Condition report:

  In excellent original condition, with no sign of inpainting as seen under UV light, We notice some purplish areas in the upper right quadrant, but we believe it is pigments rather than restoration.
  Frame: 19 1/2 x 23 3/4 x 2 3/4 in.

• Shipping Info

  • No lot may be removed from Freeman’s premises until the buyer has paid in full the purchase price therefor including Buyer’s Premium or has satisfied such terms that Freeman’s, in its sole discretion, shall require. Subject to the foregoing, all Property shall be paid for and removed by the buyer at his/ her expense within ten (10) days of sale and, if not so removed, may be sold by Freeman’s, or sent by Freeman’s to a third-party storage facility, at the sole risk and charge of the buyer(s), and Freeman’s may prohibit the buyer from participating, directly or indirectly, as a bidder or buyer in any future sale or sales. In addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s by law, Freeman’s reserves the right to impose a late charge of 1.5% per month of the total purchase price on any balance remaining ten (10) days after the day of sale. If Property is not removed by the buyer within ten (10) days, a handling charge of 2% of the total purchase price per month from the tenth day after the sale until removal by the buyer shall be payable to Freeman’s by the buyer. Freeman’s will not be responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or otherwise responsible for any goods left in Freeman’s possession after ten (10) days. If the foregoing conditions or any applicable provisions of law are not complied with, in addition to other remedies available to Freeman’s and the Consignor (including without limitation the right to hold the buyer(s) liable for the bid price) Freeman’s, at its option, may either cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the buyer(s), or resell the property. In such event, the buyer(s) shall remain liable for any deficiency in the original purchase price and will also be responsible for all costs, including warehousing, the expense of the ultimate sale, and Freeman’s commission at its regular rates together with all related and incidental charges, including legal fees. Payment is a precondition to removal. Payment shall be by cash, certified check or similar bank draft, or any other method approved by Freeman’s. Checks will not be deemed to constitute payment until cleared. Any exceptions must be made upon Freeman’s written approval of credit prior to sale. In addition, a defaulting buyer will be deemed to have granted and assigned to Freeman’s, a continuing security interest of first priority in any property or money of, or owing to such buyer in Freeman’ possession, and Freeman’s may retain and apply such property or money as collateral security for the obligations due to Freeman’s. Freeman’s shall have all of the rights accorded a secured party under the Pennsylvania Uniform Commercial Code.

• Buyer's Premium

  • Hammer Price	Premium (%)
    $0	29.00
    $600,000	23.00
    $3,000,000	15.00