James G. Bailey (Kentucky, Paris, California, 1868-1930) oil on canvas woodland landscape. Signed and dated "James G. Bailey 1929," lower left. With label from R. Lerondelle, Paris, affixed to the backing, along with inscriptions including "18 [via?] rue d'Armaille," "Joseph de Nemes," and "J de Nemes." Housed in a green and gilt wood frame with nameplate. Sight:15 1/4 " H x 18 1/2" W. Framed: 19 1/4" H x 23 1/4 " W. Biographical note: James G. Bailey was a landscape painter, judge, politician, and diplomat born in Salyersville, KY in 1868. His dream-like work often depicts Kentucky, California, and continental Europe. Bailey served as a member of the Kentucky state legislature from 1895-1897. His first diplomatic appointment was as secretary to the legation to Guatemala and Honduras, 1901, and in the following years he performed diplomatic service in numerous other locals including Stockholm, Sweden in 1907, and eventually in Paris where he was counselor at the American Embassy until a few weeks before his death. As an artist, he studied with Boleslaw Jan Czedekowski (1889-1969) and Leroy Ralph "Roy" Forkum (1884-1955), a Disney artist who worked on Fantasia. In 1930 he exhibited at the Salon of the Société des Artistes Français and at the Galerie M. Knoedler & Co., both in Paris. He lived in Pasadena, CA at the end of his life. Sources: Bailey, James G, Benezit Dictionary of Artists, Oxford Art Online; Exposition James G. Bailey Paysages: 13-26 Mai, 1930, exhibition brochure, Frick Art Reference Library, accessed via Watsonline: Thomas J. Watson Library Catalog, Metropolitan Museum of Art, record number b16940313; Congressional Record, Containing the Proceedings and Debates of the Sixtieth Congress, First Session, 1908, Vol. 42; Bailey, James G., October 24, 1930 obituary in Big Sandy News-Recorder, Louisa, KY, accessed via 1930 Obituaries, Lawrence County, Kentucky Genealogical & Historical Society. Note: Joseph de Nemes is the francophone name of Jozsef Nemes Lamperth (1891-1924), who was also active in Paris in the first quarter of the 20th century. Although the present painting bears stylistic similarities to those of Nemes Lamperth, his death occurred prior to Bailey's creation of this painting in 1929. As such, the presence of his name on the frame and stretcher is unexplained.

PROVENANCE: A Knoxville, Tennessee collection.

CONDITION: Painting and frame in very good condition. Painting with craquelure throughout.