Harold Rudolph
(German/Louisiana, ca. 1850-1883/4, act. New Orleans, 1873-1883/4)

"Choctaw Indians by Lake Pontchartrain", 1876

oil on canvas
signed and dated lower right, and Louisiana State Museum label en verso.
Framed.
16" x 24", framed 20-3/4" x 28-1/4"

Provenance: Previously in the Collection of William E. Groves, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Exhibited: Exhibited at the Louisiana State Museum, 1971.

Literature: Illustrated in Wiesendanger, Martin and Margaret, 19th Century Louisiana Painters and Paintings from the Collection of W. E. Groves, New Orleans: W. E. Groves Gallery, 1971, p. 90

Notes: The local newspapers New Orleans Republican and Daily Picayune documented Harold Rudolph's arrival in the city in 1873 and wrote of the quality of portraits. Art dealer W. E. Seebold provided the painter with a studio above his gallery on Canal Street. With the suicide in 1877 of his partner and brother-in-law Brutus Ducomman, Rudolph turned his attention to landscapes.
The painting "Choctaw Indians by Lake Pontchartrain" depicted three women with a large woven basket. The Choctaw were known for the artistry of their baskets. Rudolph often included Native American Indians in his paintings as they peacefully coexist in the vast natural landscape.

Previously restored, relined, edges trimmed and retained original stretcher bars. Signs of inpainting upper right and left (sky); center left (sky above water) and center (shore); repaired tear mid left (trees); scattered, small surface abrasions lower center. Frame with surface marks and abrasions.