Lot 1: Logging Scene by Glen Tracy, Oil on Canvas

Glen Tracy (American, 1883-1856), signed and dated 1926 l.l., with artist's inscribed label on verso that states, "Loading cars with pulp wood / Smokey Mountains, North Carolina / Painted by Glen Tracy / 1926" and housed in Arts and Crafts period frame; 59.5 x 35.5 in.

A student of Frank Duveneck (1848-1919), Glen Tracy studied at the Art Academy of Cincinnati from 1899-1910. After his tutelage in the Queen City, Tracy traveled extensively, recording and illustrating scenes across the United States, Canada and even Cuba. During his lifetime, he experienced success and exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington D.C., the Scarab Club in Detroit, MI, Closson Galleries in Cincinnati and in numerous exhibitions at the Cincinnati Art Museum.

This example by Tracy depicts the Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, during the mid-1920s when logging reigned as the most prominent industry for the rural area. During the early 20th century, this logging boom affected much of Southern Appalachia. As a result, the mountainous terrain suffered from extensive deforestation, excessive overproduction and an increase in tourism, and citizens clamored for an end to deforestation and a need for restoration. In 1926, President Calvin Coolidge signed a bill to establish the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but the park was not formally dedicated until 1940 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Under the protection of the bill, permanent restoration entered the blighted landscape.

Tracy has depicted a waning industry that, although still profitable at the time, was reaching its inevitable end. Growing dissatisfaction and increased awareness of the need for environmental protection, places this painting as a nostalgic reminder of what would soon be a distant past. Notice how Tracy has allowed the mountains and foliage to dominate most of the landscape, with the blue hills seemingly disappearing into eternity. The high horizon line of the natural landscape literally dwarfs the central image of the train. Instead of the train coming into the picture and penetrating the landscape, it is on the brink of leaving, to disappear behind the hill. Symbolically, the impending disappearance of the train represents the quickly fading logging industry.

Information obtained at:
Great Smoky Mountains: Stories, www.nps.gov/grsm/

Not relined; large crease down center of painting due to center support and visible stretcher frames. Clean under blacklight.