William Wilke “Niantic Hotel, San Francisco”, Oil Painting on Panel, c. 1930s

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William Wilke “Niantic Hotel, San Francisco”, Oil Painting on Panel, c. 1930s

About the Item

A large and evocative impressionist oil painting on oval panel by William Wilke depicting the California Gold Rush-era ship Niantic and the namesake hotel that arose from its hull, pictured as the iconic San Francisco site would’ve looked in 1850. We estimate the work to date from the 1930s, though it could be a decade or so older. The Niantic began life in Connecticut in 1832, and was originally intended for trade with China, but spent nearly two decades primarily as a whaling ship. As the gold rush in California began to reach a fever pitch in early 1849, a call was put out for the Niantic to transport prospectors (“forty-niners”) on the Pacific side of Panama up the coast to San Francisco. The barque was immediately converted to carry passengers, and after some very savvy seamanship by its experienced captain, Henry Cleaveland, it became one of the first ships to bring gold seekers to the city, arriving at 11pm on July 5, 1849. The crew quickly deserted the Niantic to join their former passengers in search of gold, forcing the owners to tow it just offshore from the corner of Clay and Montgomery where it was grounded at low tide. It was converted for use at various times as a warehouse, store, offices, and hotel, with the legend “Rest for the weary and storage for trunks” appearing above the door. It would never set sail again. The hotel, once described as being the finest in San Francisco, was repeatedly rebuilt after a series of fires between 1850–1852, with less and less of the original ship remaining each time, indicating that the scene depicted here is very early in its existence. The storied ship’s final resting place lies at the northwest corner of Sansome and Clay near the base of the Transamerica building, and is designated as California Historical Landmark #88. Signed on front at lower left by listed San Francisco artist William Hancock Wilke (b. 1879–1958), known for painting and illustrating, as well as for designing jewelry at Shreve’s and creating etchings alongside famed printer John Henry Nash. Stenciled on back “J.L. Stuart Manufacturing Co. - 33–37 Front St - The Canvas Goods Corner - San Francisco, Cal.” A more recent handwritten description on paper is taped near the top. J.L. Stuart was founded in San Francisco in 1849 to sell tents and supplies to the tens of thousands of prospectors who flooded the region during the first years of the gold rush. The company provided similar services to residents and business displaced by the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, and in 1938 designed and installed safety devices crucial to the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. They also provided event lighting and other related services throughout the last century, as they continue to do today. It’s unknown whether the painting was perhaps commissioned as a promotional item by the company, or if the artist simply repurposed the plywood panel from a J.L. Stuart product, such as the backing of a mirror. Of particular interest on the back is a barely legible “Chief Bowlen” handwritten in all caps at lower left. Frederick J. Bowlen (b. 1882–1945) got his start as a San Francisco firefighter in 1903, eventually rising through the ranks until being appointed battalion chief in 1916, a position which he held until his retirement in 1944. During that time, he undertook the gargantuan task of compiling a comprehensive and detailed history of San Francisco’s fire department in an effort to replace city records, all of which had been reduced to ash by the fires that accompanied the earthquake of 1906. We feel very confident that this painting at one time belonged to Battalion Chief Bowlen. All in all, this singular work by Wilke is a wonderfully rendered and transportive snapshot of a uniquely San Franciscan time and place that—much like the Niantic itself—reveals fascinating layers of local history the deeper one digs. (Image 20 shows the work in natural light and most accurately represents its color and tone.)

Dimensions:
Height: 36.88 in (93.68 cm)Width: 27.88 in (70.82 cm)Depth: 0.25 in (6.35 mm)
Style:
Folk Art (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Paint,Plywood
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1930-1939
Date of Manufacture:
1930s
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use. Unusually good condition for age, with handsome amount of naturally acquired character. Paint with uniform craquelure, light scratch between anchor ports, and very light scratch on hotel. Edges with small chips/splinters. Some nail holes and heads.
Seller Location:
San Francisco, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU955020269672

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