A View of Part of the Town of Boston in New England and British Ships of War Landing their Troops! 1768. An original miniature painting.
Middletown CT. 1970. Acrylics on masonite. 7 1/4 x 5 1/4. Reed has produced a marvelous rendition of Paul Revere’s famous engraving of British war ships blockading Boston Harbor -- a harbinger of the American Revolution. A partial view of the city shows church steeples and the cupola of Faneuil Hall. The calligraphic message satirically dedicates the print to the Earl of Hillsborough. The British troops being rowed ashore and assembling on Long Wharf merit close inspection – they are all ants! Item #17118
The painting dates from Reed's History of the Western Ant period (roughly 1967-1971). Observing that in photos and paintings of historical events, people in crowds looked like insects, he went on to give ants their due.
Revere’s based his engraving on a watercolor by Christian Remick. Reed has made some alterations: the major buildings are more detailed, many of the ships are oriented differently, and the size is about half of Revere’s approx. 15 x 10 engraving. The acrylic paint makes the scene come alive.
Previously mounted (inexpertly) inside a frame, the painting which is in fine condition is now loose.
Reed, as artist, almost defies categorization. His subject matter has gone through distinct periods over his career.
Other periods include infestations (which his London gallery deemed too creepy to show), wonderful botanical and insect alphabets, wry Americana, portraits of famous people incongruously paired (e.g. Theda Bara and Thomas Jefferson) or situated (Custer on the moon, first ladies in space), and other material beyond category. He has worked in every artistic medium from miniatures on ivory to film.
Price: $1,200.00