Lot 476: 2 J.B. Fairbanks Western Landscape Oil Paintings, Utah in Fall & Spring

Two (2) John B. Fairbanks (Utah, 1855-1944) oil paintings, likely Utah scenes. 1st item: Oil on canvas laid to board Autumn landscape painting with a body of water flanked by fall foliage. Dark storm clouds gather overhead and rain enters the scene at right. Mongrammed and dated lower left. Board: 9 in. H x 12 in. W. Sight: 8 5/8 in. H x 11 5/8 in. W. Framed: 17 3/4 in. H x 20 3/4 in. W. 1927. 2nd item: Oil on heavy card stock Spring landscape painting titled “Apple Blossom Line” that depicts a group of apple trees with white blossoms which cast long, purple shadows. Signed and dated lower right. Titled en verso. Board: 9 in. H x 12 3/4 in. W. Sight: 8 3/4 in. H x 12 1/2 in. W. Framed: 17 3/4 in. H x 20 3/4 in. W. 1922. Both housed under glass in simple wood frames with cream mats. Biographical Note: “John B. Fairbanks was born in Payson, Utah, on December 27, 1855. His parents, John Boylston Fairbanks and Sarah Van Wagoner Fairbanks, crossed the plains with a Mormon wagon train in September of 1847…[In Payson] John Hafen became J. B.’s mentor and friend and remained so for the rest of his life. J. B. worked for several years, often in conjunction with Hafen, painting landscapes of Utah and drawing portraits of such notable state figures as George Q. Cannon and Heber J. Grant… He also served a mission for the Mormon church to the Southern States Mission in 1881-1883. One of the most important events in Utah art history occurred in 1890, when John Hafen and Lorus Pratt visited George Q. Cannon of the First Presidency of the LDS church to request funding to study art in France. The artists had been called to paint murals in the soon-to-be-completed Salt Lake Temple and wished to receive better training before beginning. The funding was granted and three artists were chosen to travel to France: John Hafen, Lorus Pratt, and J. B. Fairbanks. The three were given $1,800 and were set apart by the church as ‘missionaries with a special purpose.’ The three artists enrolled in the Academie Julian in 1890…J. B. studied with several artists including Rigelot, who painted in the French Rural Naturalist style using muted colors and tone. Fairbanks also trained under Benjamin Constant…Then, with their studies completed, the three artists returned to Utah to direct the painting of the murals in the Salt Lake LDS temple. After the murals in the Salt Lake temple were completed, Fairbanks traveled to Arizona to assist with the murals in the Mesa temple…Fairbanks also became an art educator, serving as art supervisor in Ogden, he replaced John Hafen, teaching at the LDS College in Salt Lake City, and as a board member of the Utah Art Institute.” (Source: Springville Museum of Art)

PROVENANCE: Private East Tennessee Collection

CONDITION: Both items in overall very good condition. Item 2 with minor, localized flaking without loss to approximately 1/4 in. x 1/4 in. area of white apple blossom at upper left plus minor crack without loss to corner of board at upper left. Frames with negligible abrasions plus toning to mats. Item 1 with brown speck to interior of glass at upper right, in falling rain.