Boothbay Harbor East was part of the gallery’s inaugural exhibition of Sisson’s work and became a favorite of visitors and critics. In an unidentified news clipping in Vose Galleries’ archives, writer Walter Merkel expressed his admiration for the picture: “Among the large oils, one which is outstanding is herewith reproduced, a painting of ‘Boothbay Harbor East.’…Even in black and white this is an attractive subject. But as a color study Sisson has made it a glowing thing of harmonious tones, of soft light on blue water, of warm but weather-beaten reds on cross-the-harbor buildings. Without the presence of life you can still feel it, for the gulls animate the scene and assure you of humanity inside the fishing shacks and cottages.”  

More information about this painting...

Provenance:

The artist

With Vose Galleries, Boston, inventory no. 16855, October 1950

To private collection, Marblehead, Massachusetts, October 1950

Eventually to collection of Robert C. Vose, Jr., Duxbury, Massachusetts, by 1993, if not earlier

By descent to collection of Abbot W. and Marcia L. Vose, Duxbury, Massachusetts, 1998 to present

Literature:

1. “Sisson Exhibit in Vose Galleries,” by Walter Merkel. Unidentified newspaper clipping, circa October 1950 (illus.)
2. “Sisson’s One Man Show Received Popular Acclaim,” by Edward J. Driscoll, Jr. The Boston Sunday Globe, October 22, 1950 (illus.)

Exhibitions:

1. An Exhibition of Recent Watercolors and Oils by Laurence Sisson, Vose Galleries, Boston, October 17 – November 4, 1950, No. 4, Boothbay Harbor East
2. Laurence Sisson: A Retrospective Exhibition, Portland Society of Art, Portland, Maine, December 14 – January 14, 1967 (illus. in black and white on the members’ preview invitation)
3. Laurence Sisson, A Retrospective: Paintings 1950-1993, Westbrook College Gallery, Portland, Maine, May 13 – July 11, 1993, No. 1, Boothbay Harbor #1 (lent by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vose, Jr.)