Usine Stephen Seymour Thomas 1868-1956 petit tableau côte bateaux de pêche gouache

Product Name: Usine Stephen Seymour Thomas 1868-1956 petit tableau côte bateaux de pêche gouache
Type：Painting
A gouache (opaque watercolor) painting of a coast with offshore fishing trawlers, possibly a California scene, (he also painted in Texas and on the east coast) signed at lower left in red, by the well-listed American artist Stephen Seymour Thomas (1868-1956). The work measures 5" by 7" (8" by 10" as framed). The artist has a long and distinguished biography. Born in San Augustine, Texas, he is sometimes considered a Texas artist, even though he spent much of his time in Europe, the east coast, and California. He achieved early recognition in Texas for portraiture, and by the late 1880s was in New York studying at the Art Students League. William Merritt Chase and usine James Carroll Beckwith were among his distinguished instructors; further training in Paris at the Academie Julian was with Jules Lefebvre and Benjamin Constant. During the 1890s and early years of the new century, the artist received many honors and much attention. Thomas lived in Paris for some 25 years, exhibiting 20 consecutive years at the Paris Salon. Later in life he painted in Massachusetts. The final years of his life were spent in California, where he died near Pasadena in 1956. A prolific artist, his works are commonly encountered in Southern California. His earlier works are very finely painted and show his academic training by some of the best teachers available at the time in New York and Paris. This example is amazingly fresh and vibrant, as if painted yesterday. It appears to be gouache but I think it possible he could have employed also a little oil in the mix. Sharp, crisp detail and beautiful blue colors. A similar small work recently brought $1000 at auction. I peeked inside the backing to see if there might be a title, date or other information but there was none, only the same "931" number written on the backing. There is very slight wear on the frame..