Rafael Osona's Annual Auction Catalog 2019 2014 | Page 115

235. ERNEST LEE MAJOR
(Massachusetts 18641950) “Saint John and the
Peonies”, oil on canvas,
signed upper left. 30 in. x 40
in.
A teacher and painter noted for
his portraits, figures, and still
lifes, Major was among the
leaders of the Boston School of
Artists. He won the prestigious
Hallgarten Prize while studying
with William Merritt Chase
at the New York Art Students
League, attended the Academie
Julian in Paris and exhibited at
the Paris Salon. Upon his return
to Boston in 1889, he replaced
Dennis Miller Bunker as a
teacher at the Cowles Art School.
In 1896, he joined the faculty of
the Massachusetts Normal Art
School where he taught for 46
years.

236. BELA LYON PRATT (American 18671917), “Bronze Portrait Bust of Phillips
Brooks”, patina bronze, signed Bela L. Pratt
1914. Height 8 in.

Pratt was born in Norwich, CT and studied with
great success at the École des Beaux Arts. He was
appointed Professor of Sculpture at Boston’s School
of the Museum of Fine Arts and eventually became
head of the Sculpture Department. Though he had a
relatively short career, Pratt created more than 180
pieces of sculpture and achieved a solid reputation
as a Beaux Arts American sculptor.

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