Lot 176: *William T. Ranney (1813-1857)

*William T. Ranney (1813-1857) revolutionary militia crossing a river signed W. RanN0 [sic] and dated 1854 on saddle blanket, l.c. oil on canvas 36 1/4 by 50 1/4 in. (92.1 by 127.6cm.) While the subject of the present painting is currently known, it has for maN0 years been identified as Marion Crossing the Peedee. According to Linda Bantel, this painting does not appear to be related to Ranney's painting of that title in the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, but may depict another incident from the life of General Francis Marion. Marion was a popular figure in 19th century America and in the 1840s a new biography of Marion and William Cullen Bryant's poem "Song of Marion's Men" celebrated the achievements of the Revolutionary War hero. Linda Ayres and Jane Myers write, "One of the romantic heroes lionized [during the 19th century] was General Francis Marion, a South Carolinian who left his family to lead a group of irregular troops agains the British. Marion, who used his vast knowledge of the lowlands to his advantage in surprise attacks on Tory camps, was perhaps better known as 'the Swamp Fox' " (American Paintings: Selections from the Amon Carter Museum, Birmingham, Alabama, 1986, p. 34). Ranney had a particular interest in and admiration for the heroes of the ante-bellum South, having spent much of his youth in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In addition to Marion Crossing the Peedee, the artist painted several other works with southern themes including The Battle of Cowpens, Daniel Boone and His Companions Discovering Kentucky and The Virginia Wedding. This painting will be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonne of the artist's work.

36 1/4 by 50 1/4 in.

By descent in the family of owner since the 19th century