Thomas Thompson (1798-1869) Boston and New York (probably acquired from the artist); his sale: Henry H. Leeds & Miner, New York, 7 February 1870, lot 444

The canvas has not been lined. There is some minor frame rubbing along the upper part of the extreme left framing edge. Inspection under ultraviolet light reveals some areas of uneven fluorescence, due to residual varnish, and some isolated spots of retouching including one minor dab in the sky in the upper right quadrant and two small spots in the grass. Otherwise, this work is in good condition and is ready to hang. Presented in a decorative gilt frame with some losses.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Julius Kummer was a Dresden-born landscape painter and lithographer who studied at the Dresden Academy between 1832 and 1835. Kummer’s involvement in the May Uprising of 1848 in Dresden prompted his departure for America in 1849, where he settled first in Brooklyn, where he became partners with Dresden-born artist Peter Bernard William Heine, then in Boston. Kummer relocated to St Louis in 1860 where he died nine years later. During the near-decade he spent in the South, Kummer gained a reputation for his landscapes of the Plains and the Rocky Mountains. The previous owner of this work, Thomas Thompson, was the son of a wealthy 18^th-century merchant. Having graduated from Harvard in 1817, Thompson gave up his studies in order to pursue his passion for art; he rapidly became recognised as a patron of art students, and later for being in possession of one of the finest collections in Boston, a collection which Thompson spent over half of his life accumulating. As dictated by Thompson’s will, The Thomas Thompson Trust was established in 1869 and is now one of America’s longest-standing philanthropist foundations. The trust’s primary areas for support are healthcare and social services in the United States, with a particular and distinguishing interest in supporting women. However, it also contributes to support the arts and humanities in honour of Thompson and his wife Elizabeth’s admiration of the arts.