William Henry Singer Jr. (1868-1943), "A Happy Day," 1925
William Henry Singer Jr.
(1868-1943)
"A Happy Day," 1925
Oil on canvas
Signed lower right: W. H. Singer Jr; titled in pencil in English and titled in Norwegian, dated "1925" and numbered in black "39," all on the stretcher
41 1/2 x 39 1/4 in.
Provenance:
Anna Brugh Singer, wife of the artist
Jacob Dooijewaard, Netherlands, from the above
Willem Dooijewaard, Netherlands, brother of the above, by descent
Private estate, California
Exhibited:
Muskegon, MI, Hackley Art Gallery, "Paintings by William H. Singer Jr. - Water Colors by Nile J. Behncke," May 1930, no. 14
Other Notes:
This work is accompanied by a photographic Certificate of Authenticity signed by Willem Dooijewaard and dated June 25, 1976. An brochure from the abovementioned gallery exhibition also accompanies this lot.
American painter and art patron, William Henry Singer Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy industrial family. His father was successful in the mining industry and owned the successful Singer-Nimick and Co. iron works. Singer initially pursued an accounting education and a career working for his family, before focusing on his artistic practice. In 1895, Singer married Hagerstown, PA resident, Anna Brugh, and in the summer of 1900, Singer and his supportive spouse went to Monhegan Island in Maine where Singer began painting full time. Singer had first studied painting privately with Martin Borgord, a Norwegian expat living in Pittsburgh, and later he continued his studies in Paris enrolling at the Academie Julian for a few months. In France he became deeply influenced by French Impressionism, and Willard Metcalf was an early American influence.
Singer and his wife left France and moved to Laren, Holland, outside of Amsterdam, where a regional school of artists was located. The couple also began spending summers on the west coast of Norway and ultimately settled near the picturesque village of Olden on the Nordfjord, north of Bergen.
Singer's work often focused on landscapes, harbor scenes, and everyday life, characterized by soft brushwork, muted tones, and an emphasis on atmosphere rather than fine detail. Over time, Singer developed a style that blended American sensibilities with European techniques, earning him recognition among both American expatriates and European art circles. He exhibited widely and was a member of many major arts organizations in Europe and the US.
In addition to his career as a painter, Singer played a significant role as a patron of the arts, particularly in the Netherlands and Norway. Together, they supported local artists and helped establish an artistic community in the region. After his death, Anna founded the Singer Laren museum in his honor, which remains an important cultural institution showcasing modern and contemporary art.
Condition
Visual: No condition issues to report.Blacklight: There are three vertical lines of touch-up starting at the upper edge and extending to the trees: One is in the center of the painting, and measures approximately 1/8 x 9 inches, one is in the center of the left quadrant, and measures approximately 1/8 x 7 inches, and one is in the center of the right quadrant, and measures approximately 1/8 x 7 inches. There are also a handful of scattered pea-sized (and smaller) touch-ups, mostly along the edges of the canvas, in the sky. Frame: 48 1/2 x 46 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.
William Henry Singer Jr.
(1868-1943)
"A Happy Day," 1925
Oil on canvas
Signed lower right: W. H. Singer Jr; titled in pencil in English and titled in Norwegian, dated "1925" and numbered in black "39," all on the stretcher
41 1/2 x 39 1/4 in.
Provenance:
Anna Brugh Singer, wife of the artist
Jacob Dooijewaard, Netherlands, from the above
Willem Dooijewaard, Netherlands, brother of the above, by descent
Private estate, California
Exhibited:
Muskegon, MI, Hackley Art Gallery, "Paintings by William H. Singer Jr. - Water Colors by Nile J. Behncke," May 1930, no. 14
Other Notes:
This work is accompanied by a photographic Certificate of Authenticity signed by Willem Dooijewaard and dated June 25, 1976. An brochure from the abovementioned gallery exhibition also accompanies this lot.
American painter and art patron, William Henry Singer Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy industrial family. His father was successful in the mining industry and owned the successful Singer-Nimick and Co. iron works. Singer initially pursued an accounting education and a career working for his family, before focusing on his artistic practice. In 1895, Singer married Hagerstown, PA resident, Anna Brugh, and in the summer of 1900, Singer and his supportive spouse went to Monhegan Island in Maine where Singer began painting full time. Singer had first studied painting privately with Martin Borgord, a Norwegian expat living in Pittsburgh, and later he continued his studies in Paris enrolling at the Academie Julian for a few months. In France he became deeply influenced by French Impressionism, and Willard Metcalf was an early American influence.
Singer and his wife left France and moved to Laren, Holland, outside of Amsterdam, where a regional school of artists was located. The couple also began spending summers on the west coast of Norway and ultimately settled near the picturesque village of Olden on the Nordfjord, north of Bergen.
Singer's work often focused on landscapes, harbor scenes, and everyday life, characterized by soft brushwork, muted tones, and an emphasis on atmosphere rather than fine detail. Over time, Singer developed a style that blended American sensibilities with European techniques, earning him recognition among both American expatriates and European art circles. He exhibited widely and was a member of many major arts organizations in Europe and the US.
In addition to his career as a painter, Singer played a significant role as a patron of the arts, particularly in the Netherlands and Norway. Together, they supported local artists and helped establish an artistic community in the region. After his death, Anna founded the Singer Laren museum in his honor, which remains an important cultural institution showcasing modern and contemporary art.
Condition
Visual: No condition issues to report.Blacklight: There are three vertical lines of touch-up starting at the upper edge and extending to the trees: One is in the center of the painting, and measures approximately 1/8 x 9 inches, one is in the center of the left quadrant, and measures approximately 1/8 x 7 inches, and one is in the center of the right quadrant, and measures approximately 1/8 x 7 inches. There are also a handful of scattered pea-sized (and smaller) touch-ups, mostly along the edges of the canvas, in the sky. Frame: 48 1/2 x 46 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.
