American Folk Art Watercolors, Pair, Landscapes, Proudfit Family, c.1850
A pair of mid-19th century American folk art watercolors, c. 1830-1860, with documented family provenance from Constantine, Michigan. One depicts a pastoral valley with livestock and a split-rail fence; the other a lakeside landscape with two figures beneath tall trees. Painted in the schoolgirl/amateur folk watercolor tradition of 19th-century female academies across the American Northeast and Midwest, with Picturesque conventions: orange sky, blue-green foliage, composed Romantic landscape. The verso of one bears an inscription attributing them to "grandmother Proudfit," dated Constantine, Michigan, 1925; a typed 1965 note traces the family locally. Also bears a Harcourts Gallery, San Francisco label. 17 x 20.25 in framed each.
Good. Paper surface stable on both works, colors holding well in both, no major tears or losses visible. Period frames intact. Verso inscription on one and 1965 research note legible. Some minor toning consistent with age. Ready to hang.
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