Lot 25: Louis Rémy Mignot (American, 1831-1870), , Incense Breathing Morn. - Gray's Elegy (On the Guayaquil River)

Est: $40,000 USD - $60,000 USDSold:

Freeman'sPhiladelphia, PA, USDecember 08, 2019

Item Overview

Description

Louis Rémy Mignot (American, 1831-1870)
Incense Breathing Morn. - Gray's Elegy (On the Guayaquil River)
Signed with artist's initial and dated 'M.|68' bottom right; also with London preparer's stencil verso and titled on label verso, oil on canvas
16 x 22 in. (40.6 x 55.9cm)
provenance:
Private Collection, United Kingdom.
By descent in the family.
Private Collection, Rome, Italy.
LITERATURE:
Katherine E. Manthorne and John W. Coffey, The Landscapes of Louis Rémy Mignot: A Southern Painter Abroad, Washington, D.C., 1996, Appendix, "Catalogue of 1868 Sale," no. 43, p. 220 and (possibly) "Catalogue of the 1876 Memorial Exhibition," no. 46, p. 220 (not illustrated).
NOTE:
Long overshadowed by his fellow contemporaries of the Hudson River School, Louis Rémy Mignot now stands as one of the most skilled landscapists of his generation, a young talent who gained fame by infusing serenity and sensitivity into his beautifully rendered tropical views. The son of French Catholics who fled to the United States in order to escape the 1830 French Revolution, Mignot was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. At seventeen, after the passing of his father who had never approved of his career choice, he departed for the Netherlands, and trained under famed landscapist Andreas Schelfout. He later returned to the United States and settled in New York, where he joined the competitive circle of the Hudson River School painters. There, Mignot was quickly recognized as a promising figure and became close friends with Eastman Johnson and Frederic Edwin Church, who deeply encouraged him and with whom he shared a taste for travels and expeditions.
Mignot's career took a decisive turn in 1857, when he embarked on a five-month journey to Central and South America with Church. From May to September, the artists explored exotic landscapes, recorded the local flora, met with the inhabitants, and captured tropical subjects with astonishing detail. While Church had already been to the Andes, Mignot was discovering the region for the first time and became so obsessed with certain motifs and images that he continued painting similar scenes until his death in the United Kingdom in 1870. As Katharine Munford explains: "South America offered Mignot a spiritual haven. From the time he set foot on the soil of Ecuador, he painted its contours more than any other single theme."
After crossing Panama, Mignot arrived in Ecuador and started his journey in Guayaquil, the second largest city in the country, two hundred miles south of Quito. Instead of staying in town, the artist chose to explore the interior of the continent by boat-then the most dependable means of transportation. Among all the landscapes that he discovered in Ecuador, the Guayas River became Mignot's most important source of inspiration. Unlike the rest of the continent, which was said to be dry and inhospitable, the region was famous for its lush vegetation, steamy weather and rich fauna, which may have reminded Mignot of his native South Carolina.
With its painterly touch, blurred edges and softened hues, Incense Morn. Gray's Elegy is typical of the late South American pictures which Mignot completed in Britain, about ten years after his first trip to Ecuador. In comparison to Frederic Church's sharply delineated compositions, Mignot's painting tends to be less detailed and more evocative of the artist's melancholic feeling, thus resembling a study of tone and mood. Here, the artist depicts a quiet morning scene along the tropical river. Each bank is marked by an abundant, tangled, vegetation which conveys a sense of wildness to the entire scene. The willowy palm trees, surrounding flowers and verdant bushes seem to grow to infinity, expanding beyond the limits of the composition. The only human presence is a figure on the right, who calmly navigates his balsa on the calm waters while an exotic bird, probably a parrot, is shown nose diving. As opposed to Mignot's earlier compositions, in which a glorious sunset sky was the main focus, here the river occupies the main portion of the canvas, stretching from the foreground to the horizon where it blends with the soft glow of the awakening dawn.
At a time when his contemporaries saw national conquests, industrialism, and capitalist commerce as signs of modernity, Mignot seems to transport us back in time, to a glorified moment before settlement, where man and nature seem to be in symbiosis. Although he did sometimes refer to human activities such as the gathering of the plantains, his compositions always suggest a sense of calm, tranquility and peacefulness that echoes the artist's romantic views of the South. Here, the human figure is minuscule compared to the lush vegetation surrounding him, as if Mignot was implying that Nature would always triumph over civilization.

Artist or Maker

Louis Henry Mignot

Condition Report

For a detailed Condition Report, please email Raphaël CHATROUX at rchatroux@freemansauction.com
Framed: 24.5"H x 30.5"W x 2"D

Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Freeman's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Freeman''s is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Freeman's. For that reason, Freeman's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale.

Payment & Shipping

Accepted forms of payment: Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Freeman's does not offer packing, shipping or freighting service. ALL shipping is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Upon completion of the transaction, please call or email a shipper of your choice; you may call one shipper to do the job but are also welcome to call several in order to get quotes (please make sure this is clear to those you are calling)

Auction Details

American Art & Pennsylvania Impressionists

Freeman's

December 08, 2019, 02:00 PM EST

2400 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, US

Explore This Auction

Terms

Live bidding may start higher or lower

Buyer's Premium

$0 - 200,000:30.0%

$200,001 - 3,000,000:25.0%

$3,000,001+:17.0%

Bidding Increments

From:	To:	Increment:
$0	$199	$10
$200	$499	$25
$500	$999	$50
$1,000	$2,999	$100
$3,000	$4,999	$250
$5,000	$9,999	$500
$10,000	$29,999	$1,000
$30,000	$49,999	$2,500
$50,000	$99,999	$5,000
$100,000+		$10,000

Terms & Conditions

All property offered and sold through Freeman's, ("Auctioneer", or "Broker", or the "Company") shall be offered and sold on the terms and conditions set forth in these Conditions of Sale. By participating in any sale, you acknowledge that you are bound by these terms and conditions.

Freeman's has made every effort to catalogue and describe accurately property to be sold. The Company, however, assumes no risk, liability or responsibility for the identification or authenticity or authorship, or weight, count, or measure of any property identified in its catalogue or lists of sale. This shall include, among others, the identity of the creator, the period, culture, source of origin, as the case may be, with which the creation of any property is identified in any publication.

ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD "AS IS". THE CONSIGNOR MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND WITH RESPECT TO ANY PROPERTY OFFERED FOR SALE, SINCE THE AUCTIONEER IS ACTING SOLELY AS AN AUCTION BROKER, AND, UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, DOES NOT OWN THE PROPERTY OFFERED FOR SALE. THEREFORE, THE AUCTIONEER MAKES NO WARRANTY OF TITLE, WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPERTY.

In no event shall it be responsible for the correctness, nor deemed to have made any representation or warranty of description, genuineness, attribution, provenance or condition of the property and no statement by anyone or in the catalogue, in any advertisement, or which is made at the sale, in the bill of sale or invoice, or elsewhere, shall be deemed such a warranty or representation or an assumption of liability. Without in any way waiving the foregoing, any complaint regarding authenticity, genuineness, attribution or provenance shall be made within twenty-five (25) days of the day of sale or such complaint shall be waived. All bidders acknowledge their right to have made or requested full inspection of any and all properties prior to sale and agree to be charged with all matters such inspection may have disclosed or indicated. Inspection on the day of sale will be permitted only upon prearrangement with the COMPANY.

Freeman's reserves the right to withdraw any property at any time before the fall of the hammer in its sole and exclusive discretion.

Unless otherwise announced by the auctioneer at the time of sale, all bids are per lot as numbered in the printed catalog. Freeman's reserves the right to determine any and all matters regarding the order, precedence or appropriate increment of bids or the constitution of lots.

The highest bidder acknowledged by the auctioneer shall be the purchaser. In the event of any dispute between bidders, the auctioneer shall have the sole and final discretion either to determine the successful bidder or to re-offer and resell the article in dispute. If any dispute arises after sale, the Company's sale record shall be conclusive in all respects.

If the auctioneer determines that any opening or later bid or any advance of bidding is not commensurate with the value of the article offered, the auctioneer may reject the same and withdraw the article from sale.

Upon the fall of the hammer, title to any offered lot or article will immediately pass to the highest bidder as determined in the exclusive discretion of the auctioneer. Such bidder thereupon assumes full risk and responsibility for the property sold, agrees to sign any requested confirmation of purchase, and agrees to pay the full purchase price therefore or such part upon such terms as the Company may require. All property shall be paid for and removed by the purchaser at his/her expense within ten (10) days of sale and, if not so removed, may be sold by the Company, or sent by the Company to a public warehouse, at the sole risk and charge of the purchaser(s), and the Company may prohibit the purchaser from participating, directly or indirectly, as a bidder or purchaser in any future sale or sales. The Company will not be responsible for any loss, damage, theft, or otherwise responsible for any goods left in the Company's possession after ten (10) days. If the foregoing conditions or any applicable provisions of law are not complied with, in addition to other remedies available to the Company and the Consignor (including without limitation the right to hold the purchaser(s) liable for the bid price) the Company, at its option, may either cancel the sale, retaining as liquidated damages all payments made by the purchaser(s), or resell the property. In such event, the purchaser(s) shall remain liable for any deficiency in the original purchase price and will also be responsible for all costs, including warehousing, the expense of the ultimate sale, and the Company's commission at its regular rates together with all related and incidental charges, including legal fees. Payment is a precondition to removal. Payment shall be by cash, certified check or similar bank draft, or any other method approved by the Company. Checks will not be deemed to constitute payment until cleared. The Company will charge interest of one and one-half percent (1 1/2%) per month on any balance remaining thirty (30) days after the day of sale. Any exceptions must be made upon the Company's written approval of credit prior to sale.

Unless the sale is advertised and announced as "without reserve", each lot is offered subject to a reserve and the Company may implement such reserves by bidding through its representatives on behalf of the Consignors. In certain instances, the Consignor may pay less than the standard commission rate where the Company or its representative is a successful bidder on behalf of the Consignor. Where the Consignor is indebted to the Company, the Company may have an interest in the offered lots and the proceeds there from other than the broker's Commissions, and all sales are subject to any such interest.

No "buy" bids shall be accepted at any time for any purpose.

Any pre-sale bids must be left in writing with the Company prior to commencement of offer of the first lot of any sale. The Company's copy of any such bid shall conclusively be deemed to be the sole evidence of same, and the Company shall not be held responsible for any failure to execute any pre-sale bid.

A buyer's premium will be added to the successful bid price and is payable by the purchaser as part of the total purchase price. The buyer's premium is 25% of the successful bid price up to and including $200,000, 20% between $200,001 and $3,000,000, and 12% on any amount in excess of $3,000,001. Please note that Invaluable charges an additional 5% to the Buyer's Premium for their services

Unless exempted by law from the payment thereof, the purchaser will be required to pay any and all applicable state and/or local sales taxes. Deliveries to be made outside the state where a sale is conducted may therefore be subject to a corresponding or compensating tax in another state.

Contract Information

All property offered and sold through Samuel T. Freeman & Co., ("Auctioneer", or "Broker", or the "Company") shall be offered and sold on the terms and conditions set forth in these Conditions of Sale. By participating in any sale, you acknowledge that you are bound by these terms and conditions.

Payment Information

An invoice representing the total due of hammer + buyer's premium + sales tax (if applicable) will be issued and is due within 10 days of the sale. Acceptable forms of payment include cash, checks payable in US dollars, and bank transfers. Freeman's does not accept credit cards. Lots purchased will not be released until funds have cleared the bank.

Shipping Information

Buyer's Premium

A buyer's premium will be added to your successful bid at the rate of 25% on the first 200,000, 20% between 200,001 and 3,000,000, and 12% thereafter. Be sure to factor in the buyer's premium when determining your maximum bid. Invaluable/eBay charges an additional 5% fee that will be added to your buyer's premium.

Taxes on your purchase

Unless exempted by law, from the payment thereof, the purchaser will be required to pay any and all applicable state and/or local sales taxes. Deliveries to be made outside the state where a sale is conducted may therefore be subject to a corresponding or compensating tax in another state.

Condition Statement

Descriptions provided in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Interested bidders are strongly encouraged to request a condition report on any lots upon which they intend to bid, prior to placing a bid. All transactions are governed by Freeman's Conditions of Sale. Samuel T. Freeman & Co. has made every effort to catalogue and describe accurately property to be sold. The Company, however, assumes no risk, liability or responsibility for the identification or authenticity or authorship, or weight, count, or measure of any property identified in its catalogue or lists of sale. This shall include, among others, the identity of the creator, the period, culture, source of origin, as the case may be, with which the creation of any property is identified in any publication.

Get Invaluable on Your Phone

Download the app via text link to get instantly notified if you’re outbid and receive auction reminders so you never miss out!

Bid On-the-Go!

Download the Invaluable app and never miss an auction from your iOS or Android device.

As the world's leading online auction marketplace, thousands of auction houses use Invaluable to deepen relationships with millions of clients around the world. Stay connected to the things you love with curated items and auctions sent to your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time. View ourPrivacy Policy.