Oil on canvas, unsigned, unframed.

24 x 36 in.

Born in England, Shaw is noted for his idealized landscapes often featuring exotic elements. Primarily self-taught, he emigrated to Philadelphia in 1817 when presented with the opportunity to install Benjamin West's painting, "Christ Healing the Sick," at the Pennsylvania Hospital. In 1819, he and his son traveled throughout Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia compiling sketches for a book, "Picturesque Views of American Scenery." Upon his return to Philadelphia, Shaw continued with his "grand Claudian-landscape tradition" and generated much interest with a widely circulated version of "Dido and Aeneus Going to the Hunt," which was exhibited at the Athenaeum in 1831, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in 1832, and the National Academy of Design in 1835. Classical scenes, such as the painting offered here, were perfect foils for high style Philadelphia interiors. (see CLASSICAL TASTE IN AMERICA: 1800-1840 by Wendy Cooper)

Craquelure; some paint flaking to sky at center.

$8,000 - 12,000