Marshall Johnson, Jr. (American, c.1850-1921) oil on canvas marine painting of an American clipper ship in choppy seas, rendered in grisaille. Signed lower left. Housed in a molded lemon-gilt style wood frame. Sight - 23 1/2" x 17 1/2". Frame - 28 1/2" x 22 1/2".

Biography: Marshall Johnson was born in Boston and attended Lowell Institute. In his youth, he was one of twelve sailors to survive a fire on board a ship and its subsequent sinking off the coast of South America in 1870. He studied with marine painter William E. Norton for three years and in England, Holland, and France in the late 1880s. Upon his return to the United States, he maintained a studio in Boston. During his lifetime, he exhibited at the Jordan Art Gallery, Boston Art Club, and Copley Society. His depiction of the USS Constitution was used for many years as the logo for a New England insurance company. Source: Michael David Zellman, "300 Years of American Art".

PROVENANCE: Private Nashville Collection.

Painting - 3/4" scratch lower right corner, couple of small spots of grime. Frame has some wear including a 1" chip upper left, but is in otherwise good condition. Residue en verso of canvas appears to be from labels that have been removed, not patches.