Maguire donates Severen Roesen painting to museum

MATTHEW COURTER/FOR THE EXPRESS Floral Still Life, ca. 1870, by famed painter Severin Rosen hangs in the Rowley House Museum. The painting was donated to the museum by Clinton County resident Bobby Maguire.

MATTHEW COURTER/FOR THE EXPRESS
Floral Still Life, ca. 1870, by famed painter Severin Rosen hangs in the Rowley House Museum. The painting was donated to the museum by Clinton County resident Bobby Maguire.

WILLIAMSPORT -- It was a celebratory atmosphere at the Rowley House Museum as Preservation Williamsport accepted a donation of Severin Roesen's circa 1870 painting, Floral Still Life.

The painting was donated by Bobby Maguire, who has donated paintings to other local establishments in the past, including The Thomas T. Taber Museum. Maguire is a resident of Clinton County.

"This is a wonderful thing," said Preservation Williamsport President Bob Kane. "As you know, we have two Roesen's on the wall already, and they were also donated by our very generous Bobby Maguire."

"This particular painting was authenticated in writing by Judith Hanson O'Toole, who many of you know authored the definitive book on Roesen," he said. "When she described this painting, she noted that the size of 46 by 40 and quality of this work is exceptional. Furthermore, it is rare to find a floral still life painted by Roesen since he predominantly painted fruit still runs. Additionally, the inclusion of Hollyhock flowers in the painting is very unusual."

The painting went through a long journey before making it to Williamsport, having been through the hands of the Schwartz Gallery to collector Robert Walsh, of Pittsburgh. It was then sold at the Brunk Auctions in Asheville, N.C., before making its way to the Hindman Auction House in Cincinnati as the second highest priced item in the estate sale of Anne S. and David L. Genter, of Sewickley.

"My hope here is that this is the beginning of a Roesen Gallery here for Preservation Williamsport," Kane said.

Famed artist Severen Roesen was active throughout the East Coast during his career, but settled in Williamsport in 1857.

"His flower pieces are relatively rare, as they are outnumbered almost four to one by his opulent renditions of grapes, peaches, watermelons, cherries and other fruit," an article on the Schwartz Gallery's website said.