35
Dennis Malone Carter (American, c. 1818-1881) Decatur Boarding a Tripolitan Gunboat
Decatur Boarding a Tripolitan Gunboat
Signed and dated "D.M. Carter/1853" l.r.
Oil on canvas, 23 x 34 3/4 in. (58.5 x 88.2 cm), framed.
Condition: Lined, scattered retouch to sky.
N.B. This battle scene appears to be one of at least two versions made by Dennis Malone Carter depicting Lieutenant Stephen Decatur boarding a Tripolitan gunboat during the bombardment of Tripoli on August 3, 1804. A very similar but larger and more detailed version (43 x 59 inches, unsigned), painted by Carter either in 1841 or 1858, is part of the Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, DC. Both compositions portray Decatur (lower right center) in mortal combat with a Tripolitan adversary. Created as a "history painting" recalling heroic events of The Barbary Wars, the flag at center is a fanciful misinterpretation of a flag in use by the Barbary Pirates. US Navy records reveal that the original owner of their painting believed Carter's work to be a copy after a painting by Alonzo Chappel (American, 1828-1887) purportedly in the Louvre, although this claim has not been verified, and no such work can be located currently on the museum's web site.
Condition: Framed dimensions are 28 1/2 x 40 1/4 x 2 in.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.
Decatur Boarding a Tripolitan Gunboat
Signed and dated "D.M. Carter/1853" l.r.
Oil on canvas, 23 x 34 3/4 in. (58.5 x 88.2 cm), framed.
Condition: Lined, scattered retouch to sky.
N.B. This battle scene appears to be one of at least two versions made by Dennis Malone Carter depicting Lieutenant Stephen Decatur boarding a Tripolitan gunboat during the bombardment of Tripoli on August 3, 1804. A very similar but larger and more detailed version (43 x 59 inches, unsigned), painted by Carter either in 1841 or 1858, is part of the Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command, Washington, DC. Both compositions portray Decatur (lower right center) in mortal combat with a Tripolitan adversary. Created as a "history painting" recalling heroic events of The Barbary Wars, the flag at center is a fanciful misinterpretation of a flag in use by the Barbary Pirates. US Navy records reveal that the original owner of their painting believed Carter's work to be a copy after a painting by Alonzo Chappel (American, 1828-1887) purportedly in the Louvre, although this claim has not been verified, and no such work can be located currently on the museum's web site.
Condition: Framed dimensions are 28 1/2 x 40 1/4 x 2 in.
Any condition statement is given as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging.
Fine Paintings & Sculpture
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
Shipping is the responsibility of the purchaser. Upon request, our staff will provide the list of shippers who deliver to destinations within the United States and overseas. Some property that is sold at auction can be subject to laws governing export from the U.S., such as items that include material from some endangered species. Import restrictions from foreign countries are subject to these same governing laws. Granting of licensing for import or export of goods from local authorities is the sole responsibility of the buyer. Denial or delay of licensing will not constitute cancellation or delay in payment for the total purchase price of these lots.
Important Information
The sale will have live-stream audio with online, telephone, and absentee bid opportunities. We do not anticipate being able to welcome in-person bidders to the auction room due to COVID-19.
Preview by appointment only. Visit our notification page for up-to-date schedule information. View our glossary of terms.
The auction covers a broad range of Western styles, media, and regions from the 16th century to the present day including paintings, sculpture, and works on paper. Star lots include two watercolors by Andrew Wyeth, two colorful gouaches by Alexander Calder, a preparatory collage for Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s ambitious 1985 project The Pont Neuf Wrapped, and major sculptures by Isidore Bonheur and Harry Jackson. Look for paintings by Robert Salmon, James McDougal Hart, Jane Peterson, Frederick Oakes Sylvester, and Fern Coppedge, plus a piano decorated by Max Keuhne. Modern and Contemporary artists including Gifford Beal, Charles Burchfield, Charles Demuth, Roberto Matta, Francis Picabia, and many others offer a great range of styles and subjects.
Contact Us
508.970.3206
paintings@skinnerinc.com