James Wiley Wallace Sold at Auction Prices

J. W. Wallace O/C, Swans at Sunset

James Wiley Wallace (Tennessee, 1852-1921) oil on canvas landscape depicting a group of swans on a lake at sunset, with orange sky reflected in the water below. Signed "J.W. Wallace" and dated "1909" lower right. Housed in a molded giltwood frame. 22" x 16" sight, 20" x 26" framed. American, early 20th century. Biography: James Wiley Wallace played a prominent role in Knoxville's artistic and civic scenes at the turn of the 20th century. He had no fewer than 16 original works exhibited at the 1910 Appalachian Exposition of Fine Art in Knoxville in addition to 7 monotypes. In addition to being an artist who depicted rural life and regional history, he served as editor and chief of the Knoxville Daily Tribune from 1880-1887. An interesting 1882 Harrisburg, PA newspaper article references a street encounter between William Rull, editor of the Republican "Chronicle" and Wallace, editor of the Democratic "Tribune". The altercation stemmed from a derogatory article Rull wrote about Wallace. Rull struck Wallace and Wallace responded by drawing a revolver and firing at Rull, missing him. Ironically, Wallace later served as a justice of the peace in the mid 1890s. (Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.caseantiques.com.)