Robert Wathen Watercolor and Gouache Painting of Steam Boat "Allen B. Wood" American Barge Line Co.

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Robert Wathen (1910–1988) was a Louisville-based commercial artist and watercolorist who exhibited at the Speed Art Museum and the Louisville … Read more Robert Wathen (1910–1988) was a Louisville-based commercial artist and watercolorist who exhibited at the Speed Art Museum and the Louisville Art Center and was a member of the Louisville Watercolor Society. This work is consistent with his known output of original commissioned illustration art for Louisville-area industry, and the subject, American Barge Line Co.'s steam towboat Allen B. Wood rendered in tight illustrative detail with the company's house flag and deck signage clearly legible, points strongly to a corporate commission, likely produced for advertising, calendar, or office display use. ABL was headquartered in the Louisville area and organized Jeffboat in 1938, making a Louisville commercial artist painting their fleet a natural fit.

The sight area measures 12.5 inches wide by 10 inches tall, framed overall to 20.25 inches wide by 18.5 inches tall in an ebonized wood frame with cream mat. This is one of two Wathen works being offered; this example is unsigned, the other bears his signature. The mat shows age toning with scattered water spotting; the image area is clean. Please see all available photographs and consider them as part of the item description. See less