Lot 2: WALTER RUSSELL (1871-1963)At the Seashoresigned W. Russell and dated

indistinctly 98, ;.r. - - oil on canvas 28 1/2 x 36 1/4 in. (72.5 x 91.8 cm.)PROVENANCENew York, Sotheby Parke-Bernet (Sale: June 5, 1980, lot 255)EXHIBITEDPittsburgh, Museum of Art, Carnegie Institute, Directions in American Painting 1875-1925, June-Aug. 1982, pp. 72-73, illus. (this exhibition travelled to various locations, 1982-1987)Youngstown, Youngstown State University, The John J. McDonough Museum of Art, Inaugural Exhibition, Oct. 1991-May 1992, p. 21; 29, illus.LITERATUREO. Rodriguez, Roque, "American Impressionist Paintings in the Collection of Dr. and Mrs. John J. McDonough," Antiques, Nov. 1985, p. 1008, fig. 2, illus.Walter Russell maintained a lifelong affection for children that is seen in his work throughout his career. As a child portraitist, he listed among his sitters the children of Teddy Roosevelt as well as those of Governor Ames of lowa. He first gained attention for his sculptural works, a large group of which were related to Mark Twain and Huckleberry Finn.Russell was also thought of as an accomplished writer although his true talent remained in the illustration of children's books. In 1898 Russell was writing and illustrating for Collier's Weekly. The plein-air approach in At the Seashore suggests that it was not done as an illustration, but it reflects the artist's spontaneous pleasure in the activities of children at play.