to Salon No. 6
J. William Fosdick (1858–1937)
1903 Panel of Catherine Parr

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Catherine Parr By J. William Fosdick, 1903 Pyrography and color on wood panel, 6-7/8 in. wide by 8-9/16 in. tall (inside frame) and 13.5 in. wide by 15.25 in. tall (framed) Digital image courtesy of the owner

Catherine Parr, detail of the inscription By J. William Fosdick, 1903 pyrographic inscription, verso: Catherine Parr. Incised line painting by J. Wm. Fosdick 1903. Digital image courtesy of the owner

Catherine Parr By J. William Fosdick, 1903 Pyrography and color on wood panel, 6-7/8 in. wide by 8-9/16 in. tall (inside frame) and 13.5 in. wide by 15.25 in. tall (framed) Digital image courtesy of the owner

Catherine Parr, detail By J. William Fosdick, 1903 Pyrography and color on wood panel, 6-7/8 in. wide by 8-9/16 in. tall (inside frame) and 13.5 in. wide by 15.25 in. tall (framed) Digital image courtesy of the owner

Ethnographic art dealer and antique pyrography collector Douglas Schneible in Vermont, U.S.A., acquired this beautiful little 1903 wood panel by J. William Fosdick entitled "Catherine Parr" from the Andover, Massachusetts estate of the late Beverly Darling. She was a long time art collector and an artist herself, well known for her sculptures of children. This work by Fosdick is believed to have been in her family for many years.

This little panel is notable for its lovely subtle coloring that exemplifies J. William Fosdick's change in technique after the turn of the century, at which time he began to add color to his works despite having gone on record prior to 1900 as disapproving of doing that very thing. It is also interesting that, although no explanation from him for this change in artistic direction has yet been found, he made a point of inscribing on the back of the panel in burning his new term of "incised line painting" to designate his new technique. In articles on his works from the last two decades of the 19th Century, he referred to his technique as either "burnt wood decoration" or "fire etching."

Douglas Schneible has an extensive website The Arts & Crafts Gallery featuring his fine collection of antique pyrographic works and history along with his ethnographic art and artifacts.

If you have any questions or any information regarding this decorative panel from 1903, or other works by J. William Fosdick, please e-mail Douglas Schneible and the E-Museum Curator.

You are leaving the J. William Fosdick Salon No. 6
Featuring his 1903 Panel of Catherine Parr.

You can return to the:

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

or continue on your tour to one of the following

Pyrographic Art Exhibit Halls:

Portraits and Paintings

Decorative and Applied Art

Sculpture

Folk and Traditional Art

Children's Pyrographic Art

Special Pyrographic Art

The Book Store and E-Museum Library

Pyrographic Tools and Techniques

Your questions and comments are welcome and appreciated. Please e-mail Curator.

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