Edgartown, circa 1950s by Francis Chapin
Edgartown, circa 1950s by Francis Chapin
Francis Chapin (American, 1899-1965)
Signed: Francis Chapin (lower, right)
" Edgartown ", circa 1950s
(titled on paper verso)
Watercolor on paper
Image Size: 15" x 22"
Housed in a 2 3/4" carved period frame in toned silver finish
Overall Size: 23" x 29"
Depth: 1 3/4"
This piece is in very good condition, framed with AR glass. A nice presentation, ready to be hung and enjoyed.
Understanding the Painting:
Chapin presents Edgartown Harbor as a lively arrangement of sailboats, working vessels, waterfront buildings, and the familiar lighthouse, loosely woven together through expressive line and transparent color. Washes of turquoise, blue, coral, and yellow give the scene a bright, airy quality, while the energetic drawing captures the waterfront's movement and activity. Recognizable details emerge from passages of near-abstraction, giving the composition a sense of discovery as the eye moves through the crowded harbor. The result is a particularly inviting view of Edgartown, colorful and full of movement, yet relaxed in a way that conveys the atmosphere of a summer day along the water.
About the Artist:
Francis Chapin was a painter, printmaker, and influential teacher closely associated with Chicago and the American Midwest. Born in Bristolville, Ohio, Chapin studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he later taught from 1929 to 1947. He was also closely involved with the Ox-Bow School of Art in Saugatuck, Michigan, serving as both an instructor and director. Chapin traveled and painted extensively, producing views of Chicago as well as subjects in Michigan, Mexico, Europe, and Martha’s Vineyard, where he spent summers and taught at the Old Sculpin Gallery in Edgartown. His mature work is characterized by vigorous drawing, simplified and increasingly abstracted forms, and a distinctive use of bright, expressive color.