Hurlingham Fine Arts

Description

An extremely rare and historic portrait of a Canadian trapper and habitant by the celebrated ship carver, John Rogerson (1837-1925), with indistinct inscribed label on the reverse of the canvas.

Born in Scotland in 1837, John Rogerson, emigrated to the United States in 1849 at the age of twelve to join his father who was already living in Boston. Unfortunately, he arrived to find that his father had died, and he moved to New Brunswick, Canada, to live with his uncle. John Rogerson worked with his uncle, Edward Charters, for a short period of time before returning to Boston to work with John D.Fowle. Fowle was one of the best known of American ship carvers, and Rogerson worked with him for two years before returning to Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, to start his own business as a ship carver. Energetic swirling drapery, exaggerated relief, and tightly bound hair are all characteristics of Rogerson's work. He was a member of The Saint Andrew's Society of Saint John, and the President's chair, which is used at dinners and other special functions, was carved by John Rogerson in 1908.
He carved the figureheads for the Lady Edmonton, Marco Polo and the Edinburgh. The latter, a 19th century carved and polychromed wooden ship's figurehead from the bark Edinburgh sold for US$262,400 in the Christie's Maritime sale, New York, on 31st January 2007.