8 responses so far ↓

• 1 Best View in Brooklyn // Dec 8, 2008 at 3:17 pm

  If I didn’t know better, I’d think this was a study for Francis Guy’s “Winter Scene in Brooklyn.” It used to hang in the Brooklyn Museum; apparently, it has left Brooklyn for Arkansas now. Sad.

• 2 Ruth Edebohls // Dec 8, 2008 at 4:19 pm

  This is a version of a section of Francis Guy’s “Brooklyn Snow Scene 1820”. There is a copy of it in Henry Stiles’ “History of the City of Brooklyn, Volume 2” , published by subscription in 1869. Across from the illustration is a diagram of all the structures and people in the scene. (there are people and animals in the original). According to the diagram, the structure in the center was “Abiel Titus’s barn and slaughterhouse”. The area was in what is now downtown Brooklyn, not far from where the ferry was located. As far as I know, it is still at the Brooklyn Museum. I’ll double-check on it’s location. Wasn’t it “Kindred Spirits by Asher B. Durand that was sold to the Wal-Mart heiress in Arkansas (by the NY Public Library)?

• 3 Ruth Edebohls // Dec 8, 2008 at 4:34 pm

  From The Brooklyn Museum’s website under American Art Collection : “The Brooklyn Museum holds one of the oldest and finest public collections of American art in the world. Begun in 1846 with the gift of Francis Guy’s Winter Scene in Brooklyn (circa 1819–20), the collection was formally established in 1855 …”. There is nothing to indicate that it’s not still there.

• 4 Ben K. // Dec 8, 2008 at 5:00 pm

  Best View: When did that happen? I was just at the BMA a few weeks ago, and Guy’s piece was still hanging up. It is, after all, the signature piece of the museum.

  Either way, you’re right. That’s a study for it.

• 5 Ian W. Hill // Dec 8, 2008 at 5:56 pm

  First commenter is almost certainly right on the money – it’s gotta be a Francis Guy. Guy did a number of images of this view (Front Street between Main and Fulton) from his window.

  More on Guy, the paintings, and the recent sale of the Brooklyn Museum’s “Winter Scene” here:

  http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/francis_guy/

  http://www.artsjournal.com/culturegrrl/2008/12/crystal_bridges_holiday_card_f.html

  IWH

• 6 spnder // Dec 8, 2008 at 6:45 pm

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d think this was a study for Francis Guy’s “Winter Scene in Brooklyn.” It used to hang in the Brooklyn Museum; apparently, it has left Brooklyn for Arkansas now. Sad.”

  Has it? I remember seeing it earlier this year. That would be sad indeed.

• 7 spnder // Dec 8, 2008 at 6:55 pm

  It’s safe and sound. I guess they’re part of a larger painting. Both share the same name.

  http://www.crystalbridges.org/pressroom/default.aspx?id=71

• 8 Best View in Brooklyn // Dec 9, 2008 at 10:59 am

  Phew! I commented before double-checking on it at the BMA site. I had read something quickly, and I should know not to state “facts” without a second look. I love the painting at the BMA. It’s nice to see Brooklyn appreciated in Arkansas, anyway. 😉