RSW's Diary Comments

"Winter of 1941-2. This painting of a giant old maple tree on Town Farm Hill, silhouetted against a yellow sky. I made in the Buckland studio, 1941-42, from an old canvas of the same size made many years ago among my early years of painting, which had darkened and cracked some, then, when complete, destroyed the old canvas. Shown first in my Grand Central Art Galleries Exhibition at Hotel Gotham in March, 1942. Hung (as loan) in Weldon Hotel, Greenfield, when under Mr. Seller, but when hotel was sold to Mr. David M. Richmond, 157 Church Street, New Haven, CT sold it through him to the Weldon Hotel Company in 1945."

Comments on the back of a sepia print:

"Quiet intense and vivid as sky is .......... sunset colors, changing from narrow band of orange at horizon, through warm and cold yellows to evening blue at the top. $850"

Sold at Douglas Auctioneers July 7, 2002. Hammer price $6,200. Local buyer.