This Online Auction has Ended
"Autumn on the Nanticoke"
A 24" x 36" oil painted view through sunlit dogwood leaves on the edge of the Nanticoke River 40 years ago, seen through the eyes of a budding young artist named Ellen Rice
24" x 36" oil on canvas panel; 30" x 42" framed. The painting is in exceptional condition,
"as vibrant as the day it was created." More images at the bottom of this page.
Image copyright Ellen H. Rice.
"as vibrant as the day it was created." More images at the bottom of this page.
Image copyright Ellen H. Rice.
"Autumn on the Nanticoke" was painted by Ellen Rice 40 years ago. It was commissioned by a businesswoman and eventually longtime collector and supporter who wished Rice to do a painting of a piece of property she and her husband had fallen in love with and purchased on the Nanticoke River on the outskirts of Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware.
It was only the young artist’s second oil commission. When she was taken to the site to be painted she was enthralled with the feeling of the natural scene before her.... Read the rest of this painting's story and see closeup photos at the bottom of this page below the bid form.
It was only the young artist’s second oil commission. When she was taken to the site to be painted she was enthralled with the feeling of the natural scene before her.... Read the rest of this painting's story and see closeup photos at the bottom of this page below the bid form.
Auction closed at 9 p.m. EST on Saturday, December 13.
Please note that all bids are binding, to be paid at the end of the auction. After the close of the auction the winning bidder will receive instructions for paying by check or credit card. If the painting must be shipped, the cost of crating, shipping and insurance will be the responsibility of the buyer.
THE WINNING BID IS:
Bid |
Bidder ID or Name |
Location |
$5,000 |
GG |
Edgewater |
The auction is closed, we thank you for your input.
Continued from the top of this page:
By then, Ellen Rice had a growing following from illustrating newspapers and magazines and participating in shows, mostly working in pen & ink, watercolor and pastels. She was still learning oils, teaching herself from free Grumbacher "how to" booklets as she went, accepting commissions she wasn't quite sure how to do, reasoning as her grandmother had taught her, that she could do “anything anyone else on the planet could do” if she applied herself.
"The real life location from which 'Autumn on the Nanticoke' was painted was a beautiful, unspoiled place, and my heart wanted more than anything to recreate the feeling of that spot for the businesswoman who had hired me and supported my work in many ways, from telling people about it to hosting shows in her well known, popular retail business."
"I took photos, but the photos were just reminders. As I painted it, I mentally put myself back on the edge of the Nanticoke, remembering the damp air, the crunch of leaves and peat under my feet, the fresh scents and the sounds of the rushing water of the river. The feelings, the calm and appreciation the memories stirred went into every brushstroke. The setting was in an undeveloped area, so there were no other sounds encroaching. Just water, bird song, a breeze rustling through the trees, peace."
The painting was given back to Ellen this fall shortly before the collector and her husband moved to a 750 sq. ft. apartment from a 3,000 sq. ft. home. Though they have kept Ellen's smaller works, their "most cherished" painting won't fit in their limited space and they could not let it go into their estate sale. They wanted to go back to Ellen to do with it what she thought best.
"I hadn't seen it in so many years. It was such a pleasant surprise to see it again. I was surprised to see how good it looked. It's in perfect condition. The colors look as bright as I remembered them."
What would it sell for if painted by Ellen now?
A work in oils on canvas this size and with this much detail created by Ellen Rice today would now sell for somewhere between $12,000 and $14,000 depending on subject(s) and the amount of detail, possibly more - even without considering it's unique history.
It is hoped that the funds raised from this silent auction will cover the original purchase price of the painting in today's dollars, to be given to the woman who commissioned it. After hearing how much the woman missed it, Ellen is creating a reproduction that will fit in the couple's new apartment. They said that they have already found "the perfect place."
Please note regarding the images on this page: original painting colors and texture can only be approximated with digital photos online, and variations will occur depending on viewing device or monitor. This painting is on preview in the studio for you to see in person now, the best way to see any original painting.
By then, Ellen Rice had a growing following from illustrating newspapers and magazines and participating in shows, mostly working in pen & ink, watercolor and pastels. She was still learning oils, teaching herself from free Grumbacher "how to" booklets as she went, accepting commissions she wasn't quite sure how to do, reasoning as her grandmother had taught her, that she could do “anything anyone else on the planet could do” if she applied herself.
"The real life location from which 'Autumn on the Nanticoke' was painted was a beautiful, unspoiled place, and my heart wanted more than anything to recreate the feeling of that spot for the businesswoman who had hired me and supported my work in many ways, from telling people about it to hosting shows in her well known, popular retail business."
"I took photos, but the photos were just reminders. As I painted it, I mentally put myself back on the edge of the Nanticoke, remembering the damp air, the crunch of leaves and peat under my feet, the fresh scents and the sounds of the rushing water of the river. The feelings, the calm and appreciation the memories stirred went into every brushstroke. The setting was in an undeveloped area, so there were no other sounds encroaching. Just water, bird song, a breeze rustling through the trees, peace."
The painting was given back to Ellen this fall shortly before the collector and her husband moved to a 750 sq. ft. apartment from a 3,000 sq. ft. home. Though they have kept Ellen's smaller works, their "most cherished" painting won't fit in their limited space and they could not let it go into their estate sale. They wanted to go back to Ellen to do with it what she thought best.
"I hadn't seen it in so many years. It was such a pleasant surprise to see it again. I was surprised to see how good it looked. It's in perfect condition. The colors look as bright as I remembered them."
What would it sell for if painted by Ellen now?
A work in oils on canvas this size and with this much detail created by Ellen Rice today would now sell for somewhere between $12,000 and $14,000 depending on subject(s) and the amount of detail, possibly more - even without considering it's unique history.
It is hoped that the funds raised from this silent auction will cover the original purchase price of the painting in today's dollars, to be given to the woman who commissioned it. After hearing how much the woman missed it, Ellen is creating a reproduction that will fit in the couple's new apartment. They said that they have already found "the perfect place."
Please note regarding the images on this page: original painting colors and texture can only be approximated with digital photos online, and variations will occur depending on viewing device or monitor. This painting is on preview in the studio for you to see in person now, the best way to see any original painting.
Click on the images to see larger.
The signature she used early in her career is shown in the image at right, "EH Rice." |
During her first one-woman show, she was told by an art expert that her work was incredible, but as a young female it wouldn't be taken seriously until she had gray hair.
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He was wrong. A few years afterward, her Treasure Beaches of the Mid-Atlantic map went nationwide and she opened her own art gallery.
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