Milton James Burns (1853-1933)
Halibut Fishing, 1893
signed and dated "M. Burns 93" on back
oil on canvas, 16 by 20 in.

Burns began his painting career while working on board the steamship “Panther." The captain of the vessel, William Bradford (1823-1892), was a respected painter best known for his depictions of the Arctic. Also on board was Dr. Isaac Hayes (1832-1881), a scientist and explorer, who Burns later cited as influential in his development as an artist.

In the early 1870s, Burns and a group of his peers formed the Salmagundi Sketch Club in New York City. It was around this time he met Winslow Homer (1836-1910), whose work, "The Fog Warning," is likely the original painting that served as the inspiration for this piece. The two artists remained friends and steadfast realists at a time when abstract art was growing increasingly popular.

Provenance: John Dillon Collection

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