Neal Auction 2012

80 342. William Henry Buck (American/New Orleans, 1840- 1880) , “School House by the Shore, Louisiana Bayou”, oil on canvas, initialed “W.H.B.” lower right, “Seth L. Baldwin” on handwritten label and H.W. Gear & Co., New York canvas stamp en verso, 14 in. x 20 in., in a period giltwood frame with brass plaque. $80000/120000 Provenance: Private collection, New Orleans, LA. Note: While the focal point of William Henry Buck’s Louisiana landscapes are often moss-laden live oak trees, he frequently incorporates an example of regional architecture into the paintings. They may be buildings related to plantation life or shanties found along the lakeshore. In rare examples, they are of documented known locales. In the painting offered here, Buck depicts a charming schoolhouse on the edge of the bayou. The graceful arched doorway and illuminated windows provide an insightful view of regional architecture. There is a bridge across the bayou on the right side of the composition, with a sailboat plying the waters beyond. Buck portrays a vivid blue Louisiana sky and lush green live oak trees which are softly reflected in the shimmering water. 342