When I spotted this this old watercolor at Brimfield this past week,-earlier than later 19th c. I believe, on wove, and I think likely once held in a school ledger— I completely swooned and immediately jumped on it; it’s everything I love and more! Not just a fabulous naive early watercolor of a sailing ship, and waving not one but two American flags, it's the most marvelously colorful and exuberant rendering of one I’ve certainly ever seen, veering almost into abstraction, with it feeling as if the form of the ship was largely just an excuse for a completely joyful, whimsical interplay of shapes and colors. To my eye, pure happiness, so lovely and singular. And in a period frame to boot.
Framed, as found (and I do believe it has lived in this frame for quite a long time): 15 3/8" x 10 5/8". Sight" 11 7/8" x 7 1/8". Watercolor is in very good condition. Frame shows some surface wear, as documented--I don't think detracting, and it is sturdy and sound, with a hanging loop at top center.
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