Lot 3130: MICHELE FALANGA (American 1870-1942) "IT'S

MICHELE FALANGA (American, 1870-1942) "IT'S A HOMER, 1911". Outstanding oil on canvas schoolyard baseball game scene. Showing a boy in blue overalls and white shirt just hitting a good hit. Home plate is at his feet and behind him is a boy in brown shorts and white shirt wearing a catcher's mask and glove. Thirteen other boys with similar outfits for each team are seen in background with amazed expressions at the long hit ball. A wood fence is seen beyond the grassy field under a tree branch. Inscribed and signed bottom right, "Copyright 1911 by M. Falanga". Housed in a fine carved and gilt wood frame with linen liner and gilt name plaque. Mr. Falanga moved to Brooklyn, New York in 1901 from Naples, Italy and founded and directed the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts. Only a handful of his paintings have come to market, and this work exemplifies his talent and ability to capture the moment. The subject matter of baseball is rare at this early time period and this is an outstanding example. SIZE: 25"h x 30"w. PROVENANCE: From an old Southern Maine Collection. CONDITION: Relined. Very good with a masking varnish. 9-94118 (15,000-25,000)