James Perry Wilson Oil Painting of Harbor Scene with Fishing Boats

Item Details

James Perry Wilson (New York/New Jersey, 1889 – 1976)
Untitled (harbor scene), 20th century
Oil painting on canvas
Signed to lower left

James Perry Wilson was known for his dioramas painted for history museums and his plein-air landscape paintings. He studied architecture at Columbia University and worked as a draftsman, designer, and artist for Bertram Goodhue and Mayers, Murray and Phillips, before continuing his studies at the National Academy of Design under John Carlson. He worked as an artist the American Museum of Natural History, where he apprenticed under William R. Leigh and worked as the Museum’s Staff Associate Artist. Wilson painted many murals and dioramas, many of which were commissioned by museums, including the Peabody Museum of New Haven, the Boston Museum of Science, the Connecticut Museum of Nature Center, the Hayden Planetarium, and the Royal Museum of Ottawa, among others. By the time he retired in 1957, Wilson had painted thirty-eight diorama backgrounds at the American Museum of Natural History. In the 1950s, he also illustrated The World We Live In, a science series published by Life magazine. Some of Wilson’s solo shows were held at the New Britian Museum in Connecticut, and the Alaska State Museum which featured his plein-air landscapes.

Condition

- scattered areas of craquelure, most notably across upper edge; nicks and wear to frame.

Dimensions

- measures frame; visible image measures 29.5" W x 23.5" H.

Item #

ITMG127910