Bidspirit auction | Charles Henry Gifford (1839 -

Charles Henry Gifford (1839 - 1904) American - Charles Henry Gifford (1839 - 1904) Oil on board, signed lower left ”C.H. Gifford”, piece measures 5.5 x 7.5 and 9.5 x 11 inches w/frame. Born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, Charles Henry Gifford was the son of a ship’s carpenter. As a young man he showed no particular interest in becoming an artist, rather he was apprenticed to a boatbuilder and later worked as a shoemaker. It was not until 1864 and after serving in the Civil War that Gifford gave up shoemaking to become an artist. Two years later Gifford married Cordelia Palmer and the couple settled in Fairhaven. By 1868 he established a studio above a shop in New Bedford. Although Gifford received no formal training, he may have been familiar with local marine artists, Albert Bierstadt, Robert S. Gifford and William Bradford. Condition: The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact the auction house before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction.