Marshland in Grado 1900

Wide lagoon landscape crossed by canals with sparse yellow-green vegetation. In the foreground two boats on the bank of a narrow canal, moored to wooden stakes. In the left background a sailing ship with a red-white-red sail. On the horizon a campanile and forest vegetation, above a blue-gray hazy summer sky.

JQAW# L_1900_010
Oil on cardboard 46 x 55 cm
Signature: John Quincy Ɑdams 900 Grado
Unknown private collection

According to the signature, this landscape painting was done in Grado, Italy on the Adriatic coast in 1900. It was previously unknown in the Adams literature. (The dating is somewhat uncertain, as the date signature is difficult to read.) The painting, which aptly depicts the mood on a shimmering summer day, clearly shows influences of French Impressionism, which Adams encountered during his studies in Paris from 1889 to 1901. Stylistically and in terms of color, the painting stands out strongly from Adams' other landscape paintings. In the work of the artist, the picture therefore occupies a special position and documents the versatility and experimentation in the early phase of the painter. The painting is likely identical to the "Lagoon study" exhibited at the Vienna Künstlerhaus in 1901 (KH EL 43 1900-01 #1623) but that remained unsold at the exhibition.

Cross-references

Exhibited

Künstlerhaus Vienna 1901 (EL 43 1900/01 #1623)?

Literature

Provenance

Unknown.
2021 Art trade, Vienna.
Unknown private collection (Austria?).