The Christopher Shirk Farm

DateProbably 1891-1900

Attributed to Paul A. Seifert 1840? - 1921

OriginAmerica, Wisconsin, Richland County

MediumOil, watercolor, and pencil on paper

Dimensions21 15/16x27 15/16" (55.7cm.x71.0cm.)unframed. 27" x 33" framed.

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1971.302.1

DescriptionA farm is depicted on a flat plain with rolling green tree-lined hills visible in the distance, forming a horizon line at about the middle of the picture plane. In the foreground, two houses occupy the left half of the picture plane; the house on the far left is one and one-half stories, frame, and painted white. It is at right-angles to the other house, which is two and one-half stories, frame, and painted white. Trees evenly dot the enclosed field behind the houses, and trees with a neatly-laid out garden plot are visible in front of the second house. At right, a green wagon drawn by two horses stands in front of and to the left of a brown barn, with a larger red barn at far right. A windmill is behind the red barn, and miscellaneous sheds and other out-buildings are visible in the picture: two behind the houses, and one between the two barns. A board and batten building behind the larger house may be a separate building or an addition on the house. The only human figure in the painting is the wagon driver.
Possibly original 2 3/4-inch molded hardwood frame, later painted black over the earlier stained finish, with gold liner.Label TextA grower of fruits, vegetables, and flowers in Richland County, Wisconsin, Paul Seifert had emigrated to America from Dresden, Germany, in 1867. By the 1880s he had taken up the secondary career of a painter, and he is best known today for his precise, jewel- like views of farmsteads throughout south- western Wisconsin. Some of his portraits of area farms and residences are said to have been completed on the actual sites, where he also helped set out shade trees and other plants.ProvenanceMary Allis, Fairfield, Connecticut. Ownership prior to Allis unknown.