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Lot 30: Chester Harding. Portrait of Luther Lawrence, c. 1832.

Est: $6,000 USD - $12,000 USDSold:
Casco Bay AuctionsFreeport, ME, USJuly 10, 2021

Item Overview

Description

Chester Harding (American, 1792-1866) Portrait of Luther Lawrence, c. 1832. Oil on canvas, 35 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches; within original gilt, carved and molded frame. Luther Lawrence (1778-1839) was born in Groton, Massachusetts, on September 28, 1778, the oldest of four sons sired by Revolutionary patriot Major Samuel Lawrence, all of whom became influential figures in American history. An 1801 graduate of Harvard, Lawrence first embarked on an impressive legal career, working closely with Daniel Webster on important court cases, and then turned to a political career as a member of the Federalist and later, the Whig party. He was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1812, and became Speaker in 1822. In 1833 he relocated to newly established Lowell to oversee the mill operations of the Lawrence family's Middlesex Mills. In 1838 he was elected the second mayor of that growing city and reelected mayor the following year. His distinguished career was cut short by a tragic accident on April 17, 1839. While showing visitors around one of their mills, he tripped over a rope and fell into a wheel pit, his head hitting the wheel, and he expired shortly thereafter. Chester Harding was born in Conway, Massachusetts, and apprenticed as a turner, but after being introduced to painting by an itinerant, traveling portrait painter, he took up the profession. Relocating to Pittsburgh and later Kentucky during the late 1810s, he painted numerous portraits of the early settlers of the Ohio Valley. He then studied at the Philadelphia Academy of Design and resumed his career in St. Louis, Missouri, before traveling to London in 1823, where he enjoyed success. He established a studio in Boston in 1826, where he worked until 1843, when he returned to England for a few years and then again home to Boston. Harding was one of the most successful American portrait painters of his era, and many important public figures sat for him during his career. In his autobiography, Harding wrote that the "most liberal patronage I have enjoyed as been, perhaps, from the Lawrences. I have painted all of them, and many of their children. My full-length portrait of Amos Lawrence [Luther's younger brother] I consider the best thing I have ever done in my whole artistic career. I have also painted a full-length of Abbott Lawrence." They now hang in the Williams College Museum of Art and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, respectively. This fine portrait of eldest brother Lawrence was painted by Harding about thirteen years prior to the abovementioned full-length portraits of his partner-brothers (both done in 1845) and its careful and sensitive delineation of the sitter and his character of evidence of the affection that the artist held for the sitter and his family.

Artist or Maker

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Casco Bay Auctions offers in house shipping for most small items. Buyer is responsible for all shipping carrier charges, plus packing and handling costs as calculated by Casco Bay Auctions.

Certain large pieces, paintings under glass, and high value items will be shipped via third party shipper.

Items not picked up within two weeks may be moved to our off site storage facility, and assessed a $25 storage fee.

Auction Details

Summer Americana Auction

by
Casco Bay Auctions
July 10, 2021, 10:00 AM EST

147 Main Street, Freeport, ME, 04032, US

Terms

Buyer's Premium

28.0%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$49$5
$50$299$10
$300$499$25
$500$999$50
$1,000$4,999$100
$5,000$9,999$250
$10,000$49,999$500
$50,000+$1,000

Conditions of Sale

ALL PROPERTY SOLD "AS-IS, WHERE-IS," ALL SALES FINAL. No warranty express or implied is provided by Casco Bay Auctions or its consignors. Catalog descriptions and condition reports are statements of opinion only, and in no way release the buyer from responsibility to make a full and careful assessment of the material prior to bidding. Buyers may submit requests for conditions prior to 48 hours before the beginning of a sale, and we will make our best effort to thoroughly answer their questions. However, Casco Bay Auctions makes no guarantee to the completeness of a condition report, and the responsibility to make a full assessment prior to bidding still lies with the bidder or bidder's agent.
The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. The auctioneer reserves the right to reject any bid. The auctioneer has the sole right to re-offer a lot and/or settle disputed bids. The record of sale kept by Casco Bay Auctions will be taken as final in the event of a dispute.
At the fall of the auctioneer's hammer, title will pass to the successful bidder and the bidder assumes full risk and responsibility for the property, including the obligation to pay the full purchase price including the hammer price, buyer's premium and other applicable fees, including storage and internet bidding fees. Casco Bay Auctions reserves the right to reject bids from any bidder.
PAYMENT. Unless prior arrangements have been made, payment is due at the conclusion of the auction from bidders in the audience. For phone, internet and absentee bidders, payment is due within 5 days of the sale. Payment is accepted by cash, check, credit card and wire transfer. Casco Bay Auctions reserves the right to hold property until funds have cleared. Payment not received within 30 days will be charged a 1.5% monthly interest charge.
PROPERTY PICK UP. Unless prior arrangements have been made, bidders in the audience are expected to take their purchases with them at the end of the auction. We have some packing materials available, but recommend bringing your own if possible. Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. We will assist you in arranging shipment with our third party shippers. Per item 3, items are your responsibility at the fall of the hammer.
Some lots carry reserves or minimum selling prices. This is a figure agreed upon by the consignor and the auction house below which a lot will not be sold. The auction house will execute the reserve bids. The reserve will not exceed the low estimate, but estimates can be changed either in writing or verbally by the auctioneer at any time prior to the offering of each lot. The auctioneer may withdraw lots prior to the offering of each lot. Per item 3, the auctioneer may reject any bid that is far below the value of the lot.
PHONE BIDDERS. Under no circumstances will Casco Bay Auctions be responsible for problems incurred with telephone bidding.
ENDANGERED SPECIES.Certain lots may contain materials from animals protected by federal or state law. It is the responsibility of the potential bidders to make sure shipment to their location is allowed.
BREACH OF CONTRACT. If a buyer fails to fulfill their obligations under this agreement, Casco Bay Auctions may, at their discretion pursue any and all remedies, including but not limited to: cancelling the sale and retaining any payments made as liquidated damages, reselling the property privately or at public auction on behalf of the buyer, in which case the buyer shall be liable or all costs, including commission, storage, and any shortfall if the lot brings less than the original purchase price, removing the property to storage at the expense and risk of the buyer.

Shipping Terms

Casco Bay Auctions offers in house shipping for most small items. Buyer is responsible for all shipping carrier charges, plus packing and handling costs as calculated by Casco Bay Auctions.

Certain large pieces, paintings under glass, and high value items will be shipped via third party shipper.

Items not picked up within two weeks may be moved to our off site storage facility, and assessed a $25 storage fee.