ARTWORK HISTORY:
Our family is very much into "the Arts" in all it's forms, from music to art to chinaware and even classic old (quality) technology!
Our focus has always been landscapes, both Australian and New Zealand as we have connections with both countries but over the years our walls have become overcrowded with "other" artworks and although we love just about every piece of art that we have, it's time to hang some new acquisitions and sadly this interesting original watercolour by a Sydney artist must now leave home!
SPECIAL NOTE:
This could be considered as a "multiple option" artwork ... it is up to the new owner how they wish to treat this painting.
You see, this artwork grabbed our attention not only because of the "olde world" country scene but the tiny, partly obscured signing in the right hand corner. It says '49 but this didn't match up with the age of the frame, which looks more like something from the 1970's - quite frankly we didn't (and still don't, this frame really didn't "grow" on us!) like the frame very much back then in the 1990's when we acquired this artwork. We love a mystery (the frame didn't fit with the artist's dating) and removed the artist paper tape (originally wet applied not adhesive) and WHOA! ... there was another backing board inside and this was the original from way back in 1949, talk about going back in time!
Here is a closeup on the label on the original backing board
We loved it even more, this artwork now has some "heritage" (for us) even though that history is a bit obscure, we did try to find out more about Mr A.H. Adams and any possible clues about where the artwork was painted.
ARTHUR H. ADAMS
At the time of acquiring this artwork, we tried to find out all we could about Arthur but didn't come up with anything conclusive - these were the days before the internet was even "born" and it required hard work (in libraries) digging into the past.
I have spent the last month or so making another attempt at finding out just who Arthur was, once again (he must be VERY OLD by now) ... the internet again can be a letdown when it comes to old, quite obscure information but here is what I found in any case ... in a nutshell, nothing much! (deflated look on the face!) Plenty of mention of Arthur H Adams, born in NZ and a well known journalist and writer but he died BEFORE this painting was created, strike him out! There are vague references to Arthur Adams or Harold Adams but nothing concrete. We have always tended to assume that Arthur was living in Sydney (nice area!), perhaps as a working artist to make ends meet but whether he had any works "hung" or submitted to the likes of the Archibald's, we just don't know. I mention the Archibalds because there is some mentions of an Arthur Adams but again, the info is scanty. Our personal feeling is that he MAY have only just come back from active service overseas (WWII had only just ended four years earlier) and possibly he originated from the "Food Bowl" wheat growing area of NSW, possibly areas near towns like Dubbo or Parkes. We thought this because you don't usually just dream up something to paint about, this painting is like a snap-shot from his memory - perhaps happy days when he was a child ... who knows, that could be his Dad in the field!
Love the three horses, the way the Wheat is stacked and the simplicity of the whole scene - perhaps Arthur was wishing he could go back there? We will probably never know ...
Oh, wondering about the 10 Gn. on the label? - that's the "old money", Guineas. A guinea was equivalent to 21 shillings, just a bit more than a Pound. Ten Guineas was quite a bit of money in those days, hope Arthur did well from his artistic endeavours!
That address in Waverley was a hive of activity in the early 1900's period, with an Omnibus horse stable and the Bronte Picture Palace (what a great name) in the area - these days it seems to have been redeveloped, not surprisingly.
ARTWORK DIMENSIONS:
Artwork measurements (border not included): 300mm high x 368mm wide
Actually the artwork is slightly larger all round because the unfinished edges of the artwork are hidden by the border, meaning that a slightly larger border would still suit (and reveal more of the artwork!)
Artwork border 39mm all around
The frame is not 1949 vintage! Supplied by a company in Taree back in the 1970's at a cost of $23 (written in pencil on the rear of the frame) Although the frame is 40+ years old, it remains in a "sound" condition and has no structural issues but (for us) it is just plain boring!
Glass 460mm x 410mm
Frame external: 478mm width x 426mm height
Artwork hanging weight: 1.9Kg - Important! make sure your wall hanging support can hold this weight safely
The frame is simple in design, not elaborate at all but at least it is all timber with no plastics or metal being used!
We always intended to re-frame this artwork but it was yet another task that never got done ... if this artwork was rehoused into a nice attractive frame which was in keeping with the artwork, it would look stunning!
COSMETIC CONDITION:
CLEAN
Artwork does NOT have "fly spots" or other marks that can occur over the years. No fading to the art paper onto which the artist has painted, this was not hung in direct sunlight!
I have carefully shown each part of the artwork in the photographs and then put it back together BUT I have NOT returned the steel U shaped staples nor the hanging wire. They will be supplied if needed by the new owner (for authenticity sake I guess) and are in a sealed bag at the rear of the artwork.
The artwork with backing board(s) have been secured in place using artists Brown adhesive tape, I do have water based tape but saw no point if the new owner was going to have it re-framed in any case. The artwork is held securely in place and the beauty of using artist's tape is that it should be relatively easy to remove this tape and so extract the artwork inside the frame.
In summary, just to make it crystal clear, I will be shipping the artwork within the 1970's frame and sealed with artist's adhesive tape (not water tape). Any of the previous additional hardware pieces are attached (with tape) to the rear of the frame. I guess the new owner 'could" hang this artwork "as-is" but wouldn't it be nicer to take a trip to your local picture framer, talk about the options (and costs!) and have a real showpiece hanging on the wall?
That was always our plan .... hmmm, the best laid plans ....
