William Trost Richards (American, 1833–1905) Stormy Sea

Signed 'Wm (underlined) T. Richards' bottom right, oil on board laid down to canvas
12 x 24 in. (30.5 x 61cm)

Provenance

Galerie Barbizon, Houston, Texas.
Acquired directly from the above.
The Estate of a Prominent Beaumont Attorney, Texas.
Austin Auction Gallery, Austin, sale of April 30, 2017, lot 1006.
Acquired directly from the above sale.
Private Collection, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Frame: 17 5/8 x 29 5/8 x 2 1/4 in.

In overall very good condition, with a minor chip at bottom right. The work is laid down to a stuff canvas, entirely waxed and itself most likely laid down to a piece of panel. Examination under UV light reveals careful inpainting along the top and left outer edges of the work. With some more localized retouching along the right outer edge. Older repair in the sky at upper left corner. The rest of the composition appears intact. Several specks are visible at upper center right quadrant (in the sky and parts of the wave), which could be cleaned off. See specialist's pictures for more details.