Edward Gay (American, 1837-1928), Continental Village Scene

oil on canvas (lined), signed and dated 1895 at lower left, presented in an antique gilt frame with decorative low relief scrollwork to corners.
Stretcher size 13 x 18 in.; Frame dimensions 20 1/2 x 25 3/8 in.
Edward B. Gay and his family immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1848. They settled in Albany, New York where Edward's artistic talents were recognized and encouraged by several local artists, including James Hart, George Boughton and Homer Dodge Martin. After a short spell teaching at the Albany Female Academy, Edward left to continue his own artistic studies in Germany.

Gay returned to Albany in 1864 and focused his talents on painting local scenes. He began exhibiting work at the National Academy of Design in 1867 and became friends with the academicians Edward Lamson Henry and George Inness.

Although most closely associated with New York, Gay also spent time traveling in Europe and some winters in South Carolina and Florida. In 1900, he was awarded the George Inness Gold Medal from the National Academy of Design. Paintings by Edward Gay are in numerous prominent collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Academy of Design, the New York Historical Society and the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, South Carolina.

Additional high-resolution photos are available at www.lelandlittle.com

On new stretchers; faint stable craquelure; minor spot touchups along edges of canvas due to frame rubbing visible under UV light; some corner separation and minor flaking to frame.