Lot 200: S.L. Owens Chattanooga Panoramic Painting, c. 1900

Historic oil on canvas panoramic landscape painting of Chattanooga, Tennessee, circa 1904, from the perspective of the Crutchfield House on Stringer’s Ridge, depicting the Hill City bridge, river bend factories, and broad fields along the Tennessee River. Signed S.L. Owen (American, 1885-1918), lower right, and housed in a molded giltwood frame. Sight: 79 3/4 in. L x 19 3/4 in. H. Framed: 85 3/4 in. L x 25 3/4 in. H. 1904. Note: Newspaper articles from The Chattanooga Times in February and May 1904 detail the “new and excellent” painting’s origin and installation at the Chamber of Commerce, pointing out that it “carries a plain view of some of the most prominent industries, mills, factories, etc. and is suggestive of the picturesque, the agricultural and the manufacturing advantages of Chattanooga.” The painting is also described as “the best view of Chattanooga ever hung in public.” Despite the glowing reviews of his work, the birthplace and full identity of the 21 year old artist, Mr. S.L. Owen, remain unknown. One of the articles states that he studied under the artist Sidney Clare at the Boston School of Art and “is rapidly forging to the front of his profession… supplementing his studies by painting views of the scenery about the city” and the other reports he “is engaged with Mudge, the photographer, of this city.” No other known works by Owen have surfaced according to our research.  Source: The Chattanooga News, 25 February 1904, Page 5 and The Chattanooga Daily Times, 15 May 1904, Page 4 

PROVENANCE: Deaccessioned by a Southern Institution. 

CONDITION: Cleaning and restoration recently undertaken to remove dark varnish and soot staining.  Patch replaced on old repair, sky area, with additional scattered retouch to sky area.