Antique Watercolor Seascape by Maybelle Bayley Copp; Signed Late 1800s Painting

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This is an antique framed watercolor painting of Venetian fishing boats (bragozzi) by Maybelle Bayley Copp. Her monogram, consisting of … Read more This is an antique framed watercolor painting of Venetian fishing boats (bragozzi) by Maybelle Bayley Copp. Her monogram, consisting of her elegantly intertwined initials, is penciled in the bottom right corner. Bayley Copp became known in the late 19th century for creating delicate atmospheric watercolor paintings and scenic maritime works. This painting centers on a bragozzi with a patchwork canvas towing a small trailing skiff with the misty island of San Giorgio Maggiore on the left. It was most likely made between 1885 and 1900. The work is both precise in detail and flowing in its use of washed wet-on-wet techniques.
During her training as as artist in Boston art circles, Bayley Copp operated within the strict academic tradition of her era, which included heavy emphasis on making precise replicas of works by master artists to perfect translucent watercolor techniques. This painting by Bayley Copp is a close copy of a composition by Ross Sterling Turner, originally produced by Turner in 1880 during his visit to Venice, Italy. He returned to Boston in 1883 where he focused on instruction, both through lessons at his private art studio and as an instructor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His master version of this painting was published as a chromolithograph in 1885 and became a studio baseline for students like Bayley Copp to copy using watercolors during their training.
The painting’s current frame and glass may date from the 1960s based on the stamped framing store mark on the back. It has a wire hanger. Colors are misty in nature, but not faded. The frame is painted brown with speckled gilt on top. The frame is 24-1/2 inches wide and 18 inches tall. The exposed area of the painting is 19-1/4 inches by 12-5/8 inches. The frame is 1-1/4 inches deep. See less