Jane Dahmen (Contemporary, Damariscotta, Maine). "The Carousel of Childhood: Jane Damon's Watercolor Wonders." Watercolor on paper, each signed "DAHMEN," (largest 14 x 26 inches, sight); each housed in a red and blue painted frame, the largest frame in blue paint with raised red blocks.Largest frame: H: 27.75 in., W: 38.75 in., D: 1.75 in.Provenance: The Dingman Collection, Hampton, New Hampshire. This lot is accompanied by an essay in the words of B. Dingman:"The collection of circus-themed watercolors by Jane Damon possesses a dreamlike quality that transports one to the heart of childhood whimsy. These artworks, commissioned for the nursery of David Ross Dingman, are a vibrant tapestry of imagination, each stroke imbued with the innocence and joy of youth.In the first painting, we are invited to a whimsical realm where a merry-go-round spins in perpetual delight. its horses, painted with carefree strokes of bold color, prance against a backdrop of flowing ribbons and stars. This scene is not just a visual feast but an invitation to remember the boundless creativity of a child's dreams.The second piece is a celebration of movement, capturing the dynamic grace of a carousel horses mid-gallop. With a backdrop that suggests the dizzying swirl of a circus tent, the watercolor captures the essence of motion, the blur of color and form that is the very rhythm of play.Another painting in the series is a tableau of carnival joy. Here, we find a parade of fantastical creatures and characters, each rendered with an exuberance that leaps off the canvas. It's a microcosm of a child's imagination where every figure tells a story, every hue sings a verse of a lullaby to the delights of simple pleasures.The final artwork beckons us into the soft embrace of a carnival tent, its canopy adorned with stars that promise adventure. A solitary horseman, decked in the finery of a ringmaster, rides with a child's triumphant glee, claiming the night sky as a playground.These watercolors by Jane Damon are not merely paintings; they are a heartfelt ode to the circus of life as seen through the eyes of a child. The nursery for which they were originally commissioned was no doubt filled with laughter and dreams, echoes of which still resonate in the vibrant colors and joyful scenes depicted. As these pieces find new homes, they carry with them the legacy of the Dingman family and the promise to kindle the fires of imagination in the hearts of all who behold them.These artworks are poised to become the centerpiece of any collection, promising to evoke nostalgia and a sense of wonder in equal measure. As they go up for auction, they are not just canvases but portals to the cherished memories of childhood, each a prized vessel of creativity and joy.".

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27.75 x 38.75 x 1.75 in