Watercolor of country mill. Probably painted by Julius Augustus Beck, brother of first wife of William Alexander Hammer, Martha Ann Beck. (Original entry by unknown person)
WRZ entry: Colorful W/C mounted onto nearly 1/8" thick paperboard (H: 5.75" W: 7.75") with gold, pebbled surface on back, and "Hammer" scrawled in pencil script. Front side, in margin above mounted watercolor is "4160 Hammer" also in pencil script.
Mounted in black modern frame with window mat for exhibit 2013-2016. (Removed from Med. Flat Box 35, "Fine Arts: Paintings", Cabinet 2).
Pastel on paper with double mat in modern frame. Shows an empty canoe-like craft drifting along the bank of the Susquehanna River near Columbia, PA with the sun setting (or rising) on the horizon.
There are various pieces of information written on the back, including the title and date of the painting: "Sundown--Susquehanna River c. 1870 / Columbia, Lancaster County, Pa." The back also lists the provenance: "Presented to John H. Libhart / Family in 1948 by Grace & Loretta Minich, / Inheritors of the Mifflin Estate." This contradicts a notarized statement from the donor in the object file which states the title is "Sunrise".
Provenance
9/07/2012 - Transferred from HC Collections; 12/07/95 - from Mr. Lamar Libhart 4016 Green Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 717- 2344-7734.
H: 16.75 inches x W: 20.75 inches x D: .675 inches. Modern frame with double mat mounting
Object Name
Painting
Material
Paper
Medium
Painting, Pastel
Height (cm)
42.545
Height (ft)
1.3958333333
Height (in)
16.75
Width (cm)
52.705
Width (ft)
1.7291666667
Width (in)
20.75
Depth (cm)
1.7145
Depth (ft)
0.05625
Depth (in)
0.675
Dimension Details
Height: 16 3/4 In Frame; Width: 20 3/4 in frame; Length: ; Depth 5/8 in frame.
Condition
Good
Condition Date
2016-03-18
Condition Notes
Some small punctures and dents. Buckling over surface, lifting towards the plexi glazing. Particles of color fallen to bottom inside, visible, esp. against mat. A significant semicircular tear is on the left side, about halfway down. Some scratches in the bottom left corner.
Back has tape separating / detaching at numerous points.
Portrait of Daniel Tyler Willson (1826-1874). Married in 1848 to Anna Esther Bell Bowman. Willson was the principal owner of D. T. Willson, Bros. & Co., iron founders and manufacturers of agricultural machinery in Harrisburg, PA. Willson was the great grandfather of the donor. Painted and signed by J. Augustus Beck.
Painting: Oil on canvas, Fair/Good, crackling throughout, surface dirt, some mildew spotting, scuffing right center over boat, some in painting apparent under black light.
Painting conservation needs: Surface clean, remove old varnish, revarnish.
Frame: 2" painted wood and gold, Fair.
Frame conservation needs: Surface clean and minor touchup.
Object ID
1968.010.001
Notes
Frame measurements: Height 40.5
Width 54
Depth 2
Object should have new 3-digit # 001 added to existing # on the object. As of 01/31/22 the object ID number on the frame is 1968.010.
