Jane Peterson traveled throughout her life, including regular visits to Gloucester in the later portion of her life. She delighted in the picturesque town and capturing the rippling effects of light on water. Her summers resulted in canvases filled with the wharves and inlets around Gloucester. Fishing Boats at Gloucester embodies the engaging design and bold brushwork that came to define Peterson’s style during the teens and twenties, as she spent her summers exploring the town’s streets and waterfront in search of inspiration. Although rendered on an overcast day, there is a wonderful medley of blue, green and purple tones in the water and dock buildings while the combination of strong horizontal and vertical elements instills the scene with a sense of rhythm.

More information about this painting...

Provenance:

Estate sale of the artist’s work, 1966

To private collection, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, 1966 to present

Inscription:

(in black marker on lower stretcher, likely from the estate) Gloucester Harbor