THOMAS BIRCH* (1779-1851)

Details
THOMAS BIRCH* (1779-1851)

View on the Delaware

signed T Birch, l.l.--oil on canvas
27 x 39in. (68.5 x 99cm.)
Provenance
Charles P. Childs, Boston, Massachusetts
The Old Print Shop, Inc., New York
Harry King Cochran, Little Rock, Arkansas
Bess C. Cochran, Little Rock, Arkansas
by descent in the family to the present owner
Literature
H.S. Newman, The Old Print Shop Portfolio, New York, April 1942, p. 20, no. 16, illus.
D. Creer, Thomas Birch: A Study of the Condition of Painting and the Artist's Position in Federal America, A Dissertation, University of Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware, 1958, pl. X and XI, illus.
Exhibited
Boston, Massachusetts, Museum of Fine Arts, June-August 1939 (temporary loan)

Lot Essay

Related Literature:
W.H. Gerdts, Thomas Birch, Philadelphia Maritime Museum, 1966

Thomas Birch's early work was strongly influenced by his father's work in portraiture. In 1808, however, Thomas took a pilot-boat journey from his home in Philadelphia to the capes of Delaware. Inspired by this voyage, the artist began to focus on the genre of landscapes, and more specifically on marine landscapes.

This painting is executed in Birch's mature style and relates closely to several other views of the Delaware River. The Collection of the Philadelphia Maritime Museum includes several of these Delaware River views.

Dr. William H. Gerdts has suggested a circa date of 1830-40 for this painting.