John Ross Key Landscape Oil Painting on Board Framed Start Price USD 8,500.00 Current Price USD 8,500.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, July 16, 2008 End Time Wednesday, July 23, 2008 Location Kansas City, Missouri See more about 'John Ross Key Landscape Oil Painting on Board Framed' Description Heavy Oil on Hardboard attributed to John Ross Key Up for auction is a lovely landscape of oak trees and a stone wall. Framed in a nice wooden frame.  This painting was inherited by the current owner in 2005.   The painting is not signed. The paper on the back of the painting was torn by the estate appraisers in hopes of finding a signature and or name of the painting. The back of the board is blank. It is attributed to artist John Ross Key according to information in an envelope that was taped to the back of the painting. The original information is badly damaged and the remains are shown. A previous owner retyped the information before it was lost.  This was guessed to be done in the 1940's. Brief overview of information: John Ross Key born Hagerstown Maryland, July 16, 1837; died in Baltimore March 24, 1920.  His Great Grandfather on his mother's side was George Hay, U.S. District Attorney that tried Aaron Burr or treason in 1807. His great uncle was Chief Justice Taney who administered the Presidential Oath to Abraham Lincoln. He was also famous for his decision in the Dred-Scott case. Key's father died six months before Key was born.  He was raised by his Grandfather, Francis Scott Key who wrote our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. Young Key drew and painted well and as a young man he took a course in painting at the National Academy in New York City.  He traveled and studied in Europe.   He also traveled to California and his painting "The Golden Gate Bridge" received first medal by an international jury at the Centennial Exposition in 1876. Key was unable to devote himself exclusively to painting until he was sixty.  Prior to that he painted as time permitted and was urged on by artist friends.  He painted mostly along the Potomac and in the Shenandoah Valley.  He painted landscapes and flowers beautifully.  He spent many of his later years painting mansions in Virginia and Maryland. Key was modest in regard to his work and rarely exhibited.  Patronage came from a number of friends that loved his work.  52 paintings were found at the time of his death. A booklet titled "Art Notes" published by Young's Art Gallery in Chicago, July 1922 - page 13 refers to these paintings - it gave us a great deal of pleasure to secure a group of paintings left by the late John Ross Key.  It goes on to tell that the paintings would soon be available for exhibit by museums and societies.  It mentions that these should be of great interest to the members of DAR - Daughters of the Revolution. This painting was said to be purchased at a DAR exhibit in Nebraska in 1928 by the Mother or Grandmother of the Knudsens. The Knudsens' did not have children and in 2005, the painting was bequeathed to the current owners who were very close friends.  Thus, we are unsure if the purchaser was on the husband's or wife's side of the family. The family names were Knudsen and Frazey. We do know that relatives were members of DAR.  The families are from Nebraska - Omaha and Marquette. The estate appraisal in 2005 valued the painting at $10,000 to 15,000.   A more recent appraisal for insurance purposes, valued it for $20,000 to 25,000. Painting measures 28" X 21" framed. Painting is in Excellent Condition. Normal wear to the frame. Pictures have been provided to show the painting, the frame, brush work, hardboard, paper on back and some of the documentation.  Please feel free to ask questions. Please review our feedback and bid with confidence.  We prefer PayPal. Will accept a Cashiers Check. FREE SHIPPING/INSURANCE IN THE U.S.  Shipped via Registered Mail.  Please visit our ebay store - glassta. Powered by eBay Turbo ListerThe free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. Place a Bid!