Lot 3: MARY BLOOD MELLEN (1817-"CIRCA" 1890) Norman's Woe

oil on canvas 12 x 20 in. (30.5 x 50.7 cm.) RELATED LITERATURE M. Moses, "Mary Blood Mellen and Fitz Hugh Lane," "Antiques," Nov. 1991, pp. 826-837 Throughout her career, Mary Blood Mellen painted pictures inspired by Fitz Hugh Lane. Although she was influenced by Lane's compositions, technique and palette, Mellen interpreted the various sea and landscapes in her own unique style. Both artists received a number of commissions for a particular scene, giving Mellen the opportunity to explore a variety of compositions of a similar subject. This is the case with "Norman's Woe," one of three versions of this Gloucester seascape based on "The Western Shore with Norman's Woe" (Cape Ann Historical Association) by Lane. Mellen's work differs significantly from Lane's original: he concentrates on the calm waters of an inlet, while she focuses on the rocky shore line and crashing waves.