Curious Late 19th C. Walter A. Wood Lightening Artist Three Minute Souvenir Oil Painting

Regular price $75.00

Quite a curious one! The printed card, to which a gray scale oil painting landscape is mounted, reads: "Genuine Oil Painting executed at the Fair in less than three minutes by our celebrated Lightning Artist in the same manner in which he paints them on our machines". And then on the reverse, visible due to the double-sided frame, an engraving of the Walter A. Wood single apron binding harvester with steel bundle carrier in use harvesting a field of wheat. In searching online for information, I found one other similar example (being sold for much more than I am asking!), speculating that the trade card was most likely made for the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, held in Chicago to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Columbus's landing--which conceivably would be the "fair" at which the painting was executed, as which also might relate to the lone flag planted at the center of the painting.  I personally like it as as a souvenir of a performance of sorts, representing neither the first nor the last use of "action" painting as both an attraction and a sales device.

9 7/8” x 7 7/8z’ x 1 1/16” framed, as found, with glass on both sides. Both frame and card/painting in very good condition. A bit of glare in a few photos.