Winslow Homer 1836 - 1910

Mr. Alexander Blumenstiel (commissioned from the artist)
Mrs. Milton J. Ballin, New York (his daughter), 1905
Milch Galleries, New York, 1954
Alfred Corning Clark, New York, 1959
Alicja Clark, New York (his wife), 1961
Hirschl & Adler Galleries, New York, 1977 (sold: Sotheby's, New York, December 6, 1984, lot 165A, illustrated)
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Manney, New York, 1984
Acquired by the present owner from the above, 2003

Very good condition; two tiny losses at right edge.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

A letter dated January 20, 1903 from Winslow Homer to Alex Blumenstiel affixed to the back of the frame states:

Dear Sir -
Your letter in reply to the blade, etc. rec'd.
It will give me pleasure if I should go to New York to call on you at your residence should I make an appointment with you to do so.
Yours respectfully,
Winslow Homer
P.S. Of the copy of fans that you sent to me in the Home Journal I did not see any signatures. That is the reason I did not sign that one of mine. - W.H.

Alex Blumenstiel commissioned the present work from Homer, likely intending for the blade to be part of his "Art Fan" project. Blumenstiel assembled at least five of these fans, made up of a total of 103 blades painted by a variety of American and European painters. This particular blade does not appear to have ever been incorporated into any of these fans. Many of the blades were decorated with a small scene alongside the artist's signature and from the tone of the post script in the above letter, Blumenstiel must have mentioned its absence to Homer, providing a possible reason for its lack of inclusion in one of his fans.