$660
Felix Octavius Carr Darley (American, 1822-1888) Last Words of Captain Nathan Hale, The Hero Martyr of '76 . Unsigned, inscribed "F.O.C. Darley dec." on the mount l.l. and "Porter..." l.r., titled and inscribed on the reverse of the mount. Watercolor on paper trimmed in an arched format, 5 1/2 x 8 in., framed. Condition: Toning, fading, sheet laid down on paperboard support, wear and breakage to edges of sheet. N.B. In a partial handwritten note signed "Edward F. Hayes" attached to the frame backing, the work at hand is described as a watercolor sketch by Darley for a steel engraving. Edward Hayes's father was a successful engraver of Darley's designs, and the note states that this watercolor sketch was presented to him by Darley "...by way of expressing appreciation." It is not stated that Hayes's father actually engraved this particular scene. A copy of the steel engraving of Last Words of Captain Nathan Hale after Darley by Scottish artist Alexander Hay Ritchie (1822-1895) may be found in the Garvan Collection at Yale University. Also in the Garvan Collection is a more fully realized watercolor of the subject by Darley.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2013-07-18
