Several engravings from Harper’ s Weekly magazine from the 1880s are followed with four canvases by California Impressionist William Wendt, whose handling of paint, color, light, and tonalist atmosphere led to his designation as the“ Dean of Southern California Artists.” The Silence of Night was purchased by the Art Institute of Chicago in 1916. It became one of the top two favorite pictures in the collection and was reproduced as a popular print, before enduring the same fate as many beloved pictures when fashion changes: they are relegated to storage. Here again, this is likely the first time on public view in four decades.
Charles S. Graham( American, 1852 – 1911)
The Missing Mail— An Incident on the Plains, 1881 From Harper’ s Weekly, April 23, 1881 Engraving on paper, 7 ½ x 10 inches
Jundt Art Museum, Gonzaga University; Gift of Paul Manoguerra in honor of Anthony R. Manoguerra. 2016.12.3
William Wendt( American, b. Germany, 1865 – 1946) The Silence of Night, 1910 Oil on canvas, 40 1 / 4 x 55 1 / 4 inches On loan courtesy of The Northwest Gallery in memory of Gary Faltico and Hobart Teneff.
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