Morgan Colt (American, 1876–1926) Butcher Wagon

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American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists

By Freeman's

Dec 5, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-12-05 14:00:00 2021-12-05 14:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American Art and Pennsylvania Impressionists https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/freemans/american-art-and-pennsylvania-impressionists-7883
Led by the esteemed Collection of Virginia and Stuart Peltz, Freeman's December 5 sale will feature marquee names of the field, from 19th century landscapists Albert Bierstadt and George Inness to Illustration Art masters like Stevan Dohanos and Jessie Willcox Smith. Freeman's info@freemansauction.com

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• Lot Description
  Morgan Colt (American, 1876–1926) Butcher Wagon

  Signed 'Morgan Colt' bottom right, oil on canvas
  30 x 36 1/4 in. (76.2 x 92.1cm)
  Executed in 1922.

  
  
  

  Provenance

  Plymouth Meeting Gallery, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.
  Acquired directly from the above in January 1994.
  Collection of Virginia and Stuart Peltz, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

  
  
  Footnote:

  Exhibited

  "One Hundred Seventeenth Annual Exhibition," Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 5-March 26, 1022, no. 424.

  "Masterworks of American Impressionism: Edward Redfield and the New Hope Group," James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pennsylvania,March 26–September 4, 1994.

  "The Pennsylvania Impressionists: An American Tradition," Woodmere Art Museum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 6–August 15, 1998; also Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, Tennessee, January–February 22, 1998; also Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston, South Carolina, March 28–May 10, 1998 (traveling exhibition).

  "Earth, River and Light: Masterworks of Pennsylvania Impressionism," James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, September 22-December 29, 2002.

  "The Painterly Voice: Bucks County's Fertile Ground," James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown, Pennsylvania, October 22nd, 2011-April 1st, 2012.

  Literature

  Brian H. Peterson, Pennsylvania Impressionism, James A. Michener Art Museum, Doylestown and University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 2002, p. 107, no. 17 (illustrated).

  Note

  Virginia and Stuart Peltz, collectors with longtime roots in Pennsylvania’s Bucks County, began amassing their impressive collection of works by Pennsylvania Impressionists in the 1980s, after falling in love with the pastoral charm of the New Hope region. Well before the current market demand for such works, the Peltzes were buying paintings by Pennsylvania-based artists from Morgan Colt and Fern Coppedge to Edward Redfield and Daniel Garber. Either approached by, or buying directly from the top dealers in their field, the Peltzes didn't collect with an agenda, and ultimately purchased what they liked as long as the painting they coveted fit a narrative, or related to their daily surroundings. Very involved within the local community, Virginia and Stuart made a point to make their collection available, and lent their most precious gems whenever possible to the most relevant museums, including the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, and the James A. Michener Museum in Doylestown.

  Morgan Colt was born in Summit, New Jersey on September 11, 1876. A student at the School of Architecture of Columbia University, Colt joined a New York firm upon graduation, but eventually gave up architecture to focus on painting instead, thus breaking free from "clients' tastes or whimsies". He established himself at Phillips Mill, and studied closely with William L. Lathrop, the founding member of the New Hope School. Although he successfully juggled between painting, design, and crafts, Colt is best remembered today for his Monet-like landscapes, which he always composed in the studio due to a persistent heart condition that prevented him from being outdoors too long. He died suddenly on April 12, 1926 from a heart attack, leaving behind an unattended corpus of paintings (a large portion of which were destroyed by the new inhabitants of Colt's house), and which are considered extremely rare today.

  The present work is arguably one of Colt's most dazzling compositions. Well-balanced and executed in the artist's signature style composed of short, rapid brushstrokes and a light, refreshing color palette, the painting depicts Bucks County's famous local butcher during one of his morning rounds, delivering fresh meat door-to-door in the community. Reminiscent of Robert Spencer's fragmented touch and Rae Sloan Bredin's affinity for figures, the work captures the simplicity of rural life in the 1920s. Everything appears tranquil, from the sheep grazing in the background, to the peaceful interaction between the butcher and his customer in the foreground, or the gentle plume of blue smoke coming out of the elegant cottage at center right. Through lime-green, light blues and creamy whites, Colt creates a feeling of country bliss, and invites us to contemplate (and reflect on) an ideal scenery, in which one yearns to partake.

  
  
  Condition report:

  Frame: 37 x 43 x 2 in.

  The unlined canvas in overall good condition. With some light craquelure at upper left corner. We notice the overlap of the canvas verso has been sliced (lacerated). With a small patch center right (verso) corresponding to a repair in the sky at center left. No sign of inpainting as seen under UV light.
  
  

• 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