Signed and dated lower left: T.H. Matteson / 1866

Utica Art Association, New York, 1867, cat no. 256.

Paul Cadmus; Jon Anderson, partner and muse of the above; Estate of the above; Private collection, New York.

Tompkins H. Matteson (American, 1813-1884) The Disputed Shot, 1866 Oil on canvas 30 x 25 inches (76.2 x 63.5 cm) Signed and dated lower left: T.H. Matteson / 1866 PROVENANCE: Paul Cadmus; Jon Anderson, partner and muse of the above; Estate of the above; Private collection, New York. EXHIBITED: Utica Art Association, New York, 1867, no. 256. Tompkins H. Matteson, a luminary within the realm of 19th-century upstate New York artistry, ascended to prominence during the antebellum era. His oeuvre, revered for its encompassment of genre and historical motifs, bore testament to his exceptional talents and artistic acumen. A native son of Peterboro, New York, Matteson's formative years were cultivated within the prestigious confines of the National Academy of Design, where he honed his craft. The initial echoes of his prodigious talent reverberated in Sherburne, New York, as he firmly established himself as a portraitist of formidable repute. It was in the year 1841 that Matteson embarked on a transformative journey, relocating to the artistic crucible of New York City, a decisive juncture that marked a pivotal chapter in his storied career. Subsequently, in the annus mirabilis of 1850, he retreated to Shelburne, where he would remain for the remainder of his life. In the vein of his mentor, William Sidney Mount, Matteson artfully interwove rural genre and historical narrative, deftly traversing the spheres of everyday history, patriotic fervor, and religious contemplation. His canvas bore witness to the tapestry of American history and rustic life, both artfully interwoven in his masterful brushwork. Among his most celebrated works, "The Spirit of '76" is a splendid example of his artistic legacy. It is likely that Matteson painted this work, a depiction of the first chapter of James Fenimore Cooper's The Pioneers, to be reproduced as a lithograph but could not find a publisher due to economic uncertainty after the Civil War. The painting disappeared after the Utica Art Association exhibition in 1867 and only recently reappeared on the market. HID12401132022 © 2024 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

Unlined canvas. Small 1 inch patch in the upper corners (two total). Under UV exam, there appears to be finely applied inpaint to the aforementioned and approx 4 additional small spots (1/4 inches or smaller) along the upper half of the composition. Two small 1 inch areas of inpaint along the bottom edge and a small 1/4 inch area near the knee of the figure's blue boots at left. Faint hairline craquelure. Framed Dimensions 37.5 X 32.5 Inches