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Arthur Chapman 1912 Poem OUT WHERE THE WEST BEGINS VTG Signed Painting on Board

$ 25.87

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Modified Item: No
  • All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
  • Condition: Used
  • Handmade: Yes
  • Culture: Western Americana
  • Provenance: Ownership History Not Available

    Description

    Arthur Chapman's 1912 Poem OUT WHERE THE WEST BEGINS is presented in a painting, presumably on board, by H.C. Siemors (signed lower right). There is a stamp from a Virginia frame shop on the back, with a zip code, so framing (no glass) was done post-1963. It is not known when the painting itself was completed. This just may be a one-of-a-kind creation!
    American journalist Arthur Chapman (1873-1935) wrote this poem in 1912 reportedly for his column in a Denver newspaper. He copyrighted it four years later after it had already been widely borrowed/used for commercial purposes. This painting does not look like a commercially created piece.  It measures 8 3/4" x 15 1/2" and shows a home and pines in the distance, and a meandering stream flowing between two small hills covered in snow. Darker muted browns and greens are found on the lower quarter of the picture.
    I did not remove the paper backing to inspect the painting surface further. Its lack of rippling or tearing that would probably be found with older paper led me to believe that it is painted on a board.
    The painting itself and the frame have dings and scrapes -- but I wouldn't change a thing. In my opinion, they are not visually distracting nor do they diminish its beauty, both in appearance and in sentiment. Take a minute to read this gem -- in the wake of 2020,  this kind of poetic balm is exactly what our spirits need!