George Inness (New York/Massachusetts/Scotland, 1825-1894) oil on canvas painting, laid to board, depicting a rural landscape with a dirt road leading toward a large tree at right. Set beneath a pale blue sky with clouds gathering along the horizon. Signed "G. Inness," lower left, and initialed lower right. With red-bordered inventory label of the George Inness estate and Hammer Galleries, New York label en verso. Housed in a Louis XIV-style gilt and molded frame. Canvas: 13 3/4" H x 19 1/2" W. Frame: 18 1/2" H x 24" W.

Note: A letter of authenticity from Michael Quick, a foremost authority on the works of George Inness, accompanies this lot. This painting will also be included in the upcoming supplement to Quick's catalog raisonné of the work of George Inness. Quick states that this painting is a "field study" upon which Inness based his 1856 landscape "Spring" (Ref.: Ireland 115, also to be included in the upcoming supplement to Quick's 2007 catalog raisonné). Only one other painted field study from the 1850s is known.

PROVENANCE: Private Knoxville, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. Pinpoint retouching to sky at upper right and center, with heavy but minor point of retouching to upper center near edge. Minor scratches to road at tree's left, 1" L, and to sky at upper edge of left quadrant, 1 1/2" L. Some yellowing to varnish.