(2) very nice original oil paintings by the Rockport artist Earle T. They have his original style and capture these “everyday” folks from around the Cape Ann area of Massachusetts. He was a well known member of his community and a member of the Rockport Art Association along with other art groups. (Mayo) Merchant and David S. Merchant was raised on Bass Avenue in East Gloucester. His mother worked as a bookkeeper while her mother tended the household. Merchant attended Gloucester High School (where he played the cornet in the school band and tutored fellow students in algebra) and graduated with the class of 192l. He went on to study at Boston University Law School, earning a law degree during the late 1920s. By 1928 he had joined a law practice with offices on Main Street in Gloucester. Merchant was active in local Masonic organizations, never married and lived in his family home on Bass Avenue for his entire life. By the early 1960s, Earle Merchant was focusing intently on painting, creating portraits, nude studies and landscapes. He made several visits to the artist colony of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, often accompanied by artist friends whom he had met in the portrait sketch groups at the Rockport Art Association. Merchant attended the sketching sessions regularly. Begun in the late 1940s, they were intended to keep the art of portraiture alive on Cape Ann. By the late 1960s, Merchant was volunteering as monitor of the group, preparing the studio for students and arranging for models. In addition, he oversaw the Art Associations life sketch group which focused on painting nudes. Merchants involvements were not confined to Rockport as he also organized a life sketch group at the North Shore Arts Association in East Gloucester. Failing health forced him to relinquish these responsibilities in the late 1980s. Over a span of 20 years, Earle T. Merchant captured the likenesses of hundreds of Cape Ann residents from local characters such as Floyd the Clam Digger and Bill the Catnip Man, to district judges and their wives, businessmen and shop owners, retired fishermen, waitresses and fellow artists. Merchant meticulously labeled the back of each painting with the name of the sitter and the date the portrait was done. The inclusion of the date challenges viewers today to think about what was happening in the lives of the sitters at the time in which the portraits were done, what was going on here on Cape Ann, across the country and around the world. (this biography was borrowed from the Cape Ann Museum Gloucester, MA). The paintings are signed by the artist and most are inscribed by the artist on the back. Some of the paintings are on artist board and some are on Masonite(see photos). They are in good to very good original condition with only normal age and use wear (a few have some dried water staining and a few wrinkles), otherwise ready to be framed. (please view all photos for the best representation of quality and condition). Please look at all the photos to get a good idea of the true condition, the photos are part of the description. The items I list are primarily antique or vintage, and may have some minor flaws. I try to mention all damage or wear to the best of my ability; but I don’t hold these pieces to the same standard as I would if they were new. Good vintage condition means the piece is in the condition consistent with it’s age. If you have any doubts or questions, I will be happy to answer your inquiry. The item “(2) Orig. Earle T. Merchant Everyday Cape Ann MA Folk Portrait Oil Paintings #2″ is in sale since Tuesday, October 2, 2018. This item is in the category “Art\Paintings”. The seller is “fineantiques67″ and is located in Salem, New Hampshire. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Size: Medium (up to 36in.)
- Region of Origin: US ~ Cape Ann ~ Rockport, MA
- Artist: Earle T. Merchant
- Style: Folk Art
- Listed By: Dealer or Reseller
- Quantity Type: Single-Piece Work
- Painting Surface: canvas board / Masonite
- Medium: Oil
- Date of Creation: Modern (1900-1979)
- Features: Signed
- Width (Inches): 12″
- Subject: Portrait
- Originality: Original
- Height (Inches): 16″