Lot 185: Frank Schoonover O/C, Daughter of the South, cat. raisonne 382

Frank Earle Schoonover (1877-1972) oil on canvas original illustration painting titled "A Daughter of the South," 1909. The painting depicts a middle aged woman standing on the columned porch of a Southern home, wearing a black dress and white apron, pointing a revolver at an encroaching mob led by a man armed with a sledgehammer. Signed lower left "Frank E. Schoonover" and dated 1909. This painting, number 382 in the Frank E. Schoonover Catalog Raisonne, was the original illustration for a feature titled "Daughter of the South," published in The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, April 1910, authored by Caroline Abbot Stanley. It was captioned, "You Set One Foot on the Porch and I'll Shoot You Like A Dog" (which is also one of the painting's titles in the catalog raisonne). Housed in a painted wood frame with linen matte and stained sight edge. Brass placard with artist name, title, and date affixed to lower frame margin. Sight: 35 3/8" H x 23 3/8" W. Framed: 40 3/8" H x 28 1/4" W. Commentary from the Frank E. Schooner Catalog Raisonne: "After considering the first image sent by Schoonover, the Editorial Editor, R.U. Johnson of The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, wrote this letter on April 15, 1909, asking for a change: 'Mr. Gilder and I feel that while this picture of Mr. Schoonover's is a striking one, the woman's face and figure do not indicate the type of Southern lady which is expected in the stories of old Southern families. The story of her feminine gentleness and kindness make an effective contrast to the determination displayed in this scene. Mr. Schoonover has well expressed the determination — almost too well. Can she not be made less hard, more lovable to look upon, with more Southern high lady style of the kind that goes with the pillars — perhaps with war-time curls? We are sure Mr. Schoonover can make something very fetching.' Upon receipt of the letter and the painting, the artist re-drew parts of the figure of the woman and added some curls around her face. The enhanced painting was published as a half tone plate engraved by R. Barley." https://www.frankschoonover.org/0-1000/301-400/382-qyou-set-one-foot-on-this-porch-and-ill-shoot-you-like-a-dogq/

PROVENANCE: Private collection; Collection of Mrs. L.G. Hagner; Clubhouse Art Gallery, Media, Pennsylvania (1968); private collection; descended in the family to private collection.

CONDITION: Painting overall good condition. Areas of paint flakes/losses, largest 1/2" x 1/4", to subject's apron and column. Areas of scattered inpainting, largest 1 1/4" x 1", to mid margin and upper right corner (see UV light photo). Very slight scattered abrasions to frame.