Flower Basket

Date1835-1845

MediumWatercolor and applied gold paper on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Support: 11 3/4 x 14 5/8in. (29.8 x 37.1cm) and Framed: 12 1/2 x 15 3/4in.

Credit LineGift of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller

Object number1931.303.4

DescriptionAn arrangement of flowers in a basket. The effect of a white, woven basket is created with shaded grey cross-hatching. The basket rests on a green table mat. The rim and foot of the basket are defined with applied strips of gold paper, and the handle is striped (to suggest it is twined) with gold paper. The flowers include roses, lilies, (pansies ?), and other unidentifiable species. To left of the central yellow lilies are three faded blue blooms. Veined, dark green leaves appear throughout. Artist unidentified.

The 1-inch gilded and molded frame is probably a period replacement.
Label TextThe white crosshatched basket, green mat, and applied gold paper are similar to those in acc. no. 1979.303.2. Both theorems were found in Boston. Similar size and treatment suggest a common stencil for these accessories, but whether they were created by the same artist or under the same circumstances remains undetermined.

Some of these flowers seem to have been stenciled, others done freehand.
MarkingsA watermark in the primary support reads: "J Whatman/Turkey Mill/1834." A portion of an embossed mark in the upper left corner reads "[illegible material]APER."
ProvenanceFound in Boston, Mass., by Edith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, NY; purchased from Halpert by Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.; given to CWF by Rockefeller in 1939.