to the Salon of
J. William Fosdick (1858–1937)
Featuring his
1875 Panel "Ghost Story"

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Ghost Story By J. William Fosdick, 1875 Pyrography on wood panel, 9-1/2 in. wide by 9-1/2 in. high Digital image courtesy of the owner

Ghost Story, detail of the inscription and signature, verso, in two views By J. William Fosdick, 1875 Inscription verso reads: The Ghost Story. Executed with a red-hot iron by J.W. Fosdick Boston. Dec. 1875.— Pyrography on wood panel, 9-1/2 in. wide by 9-1/2 in. high Digital images courtesy of the owner

Ghost Story By J. William Fosdick, 1875 Pyrography on wood panel, 9-1/2 in. wide by 9-1/2 in. high Digital image courtesy of the owner

American art collector Carol Palo acquired this charming little 1875 wood panel by J. William Fosdick some 40 years ago. It is entitled "Ghost Story" and inscribed in detail on the back of the panel, as shown in the second and third images above.

This is the earliest Fosdick in burning to come to light so far. This piece is most interesting because the artist would have been a mere 17 years old at the time he did it, and would have done it using only some simple makeshift tools he heated in a wood stove or fireplace. It appears to depict an old woman telling a scary story to an older boy and two younger ones, all of whom look very frightened. A book is on her lap, and she is holding the hand of one of the little boys.

Heretofore, the earliest known citing of a piece by Fosdick—without any image—was 1878, where there was a listing of drawings in a catalogue of works from the school where he was studying art in Boston, and his was the only drawing exhibited there that had been done in burning.

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If you have any questions or any information regarding this little panel from 1875, or other works by J. William Fosdick, please e-mail the E-Museum Curator.

You are leaving the J. William Fosdick Salon
Featuring his 1875 Panel "The Ghost Story."

You can return to the:

where there is a large section
with many exhibits dedicated to J. William Fosdick

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