Thomas Chambers (1808-1869) - Großmutter mit Enkelin

Interior with grandmother and granddaughter
Grandmother makes a fire by breaking wood shavings,
Granddaughter plays with a toy

Antique oil paintings Wonderful work probably by the British-American painter
Thomas Chambers signed and dated 1854.

Thomas Chambers (1808, Whitby, Yorkshire – 1869, Whitby) was a painter born in England who spent the majority of his life in the United States. He is generally classified as a Primitive, but has also been described as the “First American Modern.” Most of his paintings were unsigned, which delayed recognition. His father was a merchant sailor and his mother a washwoman. His artistic training, if any, is not documented, though he almost certainly worked with his brother George, who was self-taught but became a well-known marine painter. It is possible he apprenticed with an engraver. He emigrated to the United States in 1832, shortly after George received the patronage of King William IV. Initially he went to New Orleans and filed a declaration of intent to become a naturalized citizen. From 1834 to 1843 he is listed in the New York City directory as a painter and restorer. This was followed by a period (1843–1851) in Boston, then he spent some time in Albany before returning to New York around 1857. Many of his works depict the Hudson River Valley, but he was not influenced by the Hudson River School of painting. He also painted scenes from the Connecticut Valley. He never exhibited, but he frequently sold his pictures at auctions. Around 1866 he returned to England penniless and disabled, where he died in a workhouse. He remained practically unnoticed until 1942, when the discovery of a signed painting linked him to a large number of distinctly extravagant marine and landscape paintings from the mid-19th century that had previously not been attributed. His debut exhibition took place that same year at the Macbeth Gallery in New York. Over 65 paintings have since been clearly identified as his, and numerous others have tentatively been attributed to him. Many of his works were loosely based on engravings by other artists; notably William Henry Bartlett, but it is known that he painted en plein air. He also painted portraits, but none have been identified.

Oil painting on carton board with oil paint in a gold-colored wooden frame
Dimensions with frame: 44.5 x 36.5 cm, without frame: 27.5 x 26 cm

Signature: Bottom right "T. Chambers 1854" signed
Condition: used, good condition, frame with signs of wear.
Shipping: DHL insured.