Watercolor depicting sailor on little boat above the poem "MA Nacelle" [My Little Boat, 1815-1829] by Pierre-Jean de Beranger. Watercolor and ink on thin white paper; two large "eagle and Napoleon" watermarks in circles. The verso a continuum of the poem in script; front and back framed in glass.
Pierre-Jean de Beranger (19 August 1780 - 16 July 1857) was a prolific French poet and chansonnier (songwriter), who enjoyed great popularity and influence in France during his lifetime, but faded into obscurity in the decades following his death. He has been described as "the most popular French songwriter of all time" and "the first superstar of French popular music". (Wikipedia)
The above described once belonged to Herman Melville, author of the world famed novel, Moby Dick. Melville acquired art on one his voyages to Europe. The bulk of the Melville art collection is in the Melville Room Museum at the Berkshire Atheneum in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. This piece was acquired by our consignor from Adrienne Metcalf, the great granddaughter of Melville. It was passed down to Adrienne and her sister, Anne Westmoreland, from David Metcalf, great grandson of Melville. David owned the work by descent from his mother, Melville's granddaughter, Eleanor Melville Metcalf. (The work is accompanied by a letter of statement signed by Adrienne Metcalf, third granddaughter of Herman Melville, signed March 28, 2008.)
Translation of poem available
Date: 19th Century
Measurement: Frame: 16.5" x 10.5"; view: 15" x 9"
Material: Watercolor on watermarked paper
Condition: Excellent original condition; front and back framed in glass.
$6,985
SKU: 1039-64
For More Information, Please Contact David Hillier at 978-597-8084 or email drh@aaawt.com.
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