CONRAD WISE CHAPMAN (AMERICAN, 1842-1910) PARIS ICE SKATING GENRE SCENE, oil on panel, an outstanding example of fine detail, depicting numerous figures in brightly colored attire leisurely skating and sledding on a frozen pond in a snow-covered winter landscape, probably a view near Paris, signed and dated "CW [?] Chapman / MEXICO / 1908" lower left, retains period printed London artist supply label verso as well as a period presentation inscription "Cercle des Patineurs / Bois de Boulogne Paris / For Mrs. A. Thomson with Mr. & Mrs. C. W. Chapman / compliments / New York September 21st 1906" as well as an additional inscription, probably period, "Conrad Wise Chapman / Rome, Italy". Housed in a modern gilt frame. Dated 1908. 5 1/2" x 7 3/4" sight, 11 1/4" x 13 1/4" OA.
Catalogue Note: Conrad Wise Chapman (1842-1910) was born in Washington, DC into what would become a family of artists. His father, John Gadsby Chapman (1808-1890), was an important 19th century artist best known for his monumental oil on canvas (12 feet by 18 feet), "The Baptism of Pocahontas" (1842), a work commissioned by the U.S. Government and displayed in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building. Flush with success, John Gadsby Chapman left the United States in 1848 with his family, including six-year-old Conrad in tow, in order to pursue his artistic career in Europe. Learning from his father in Italy, France, and other locations, Conrad developed his talents early and was producing highly accomplished Italian landscapes in his mid-teens. Wherever the family traveled under the direction of their father, Conrad went as well, learning from his experiences and painting what he saw along the way. In 1861, however, nineteen-year-old Conrad, caught up the Romantic enthusiasm of the era, returned to the United States to fight for the Confederacy, enlisting in the 3rd Kentucky Regiment. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862 and went on to see action in the lower South early in the war before his transfer to Charleston, South Carolina in 1863. In Charleston, now recognized by General P. T. Beauregard and his staff for his artistic talents, Conrad Chapman was commissioned to paint a series of views of the city's defenses in an attempt to ease concerns and bolster the morale of Charleston's inhabitants. Chapman was present at the city's siege later in the year, and a number of his works from his time in Charleston survive. The artist went on to record more scenes from his experiences during the Civil War before he was granted a six-month furlough in 1864 to return to Europe in order to visit with his ailing mother. By the time of his scheduled return to enlisted duty with the Confederate Army, the war had ended, and Chapman was left at something of a loss. Uncertain of his and his country's future, he traveled with Confederate sympathizers in Texas and Mexico (a place he would continue to visit throughout his life) before returning to Europe to continue his career as an artist. Conrad Chapman moved in 1898 with his family to Richmond, Virginia where he would remain.
The present example, a characteristic Parisian crowd scene of the artist's oeuvre, is somewhat unusual given its various inscriptions and labels that reference no less than five separate countries (Mexico, Italy, France, England, and the United States), all of which Chapman is known to have visited. It is possible that artist sketched the scene in Paris, finished it in Rome, and then presented it to the mysterious "Mrs. A. Thomson" in New York.

Excellent overall condition with very light surface abrasions and minute area of inpainting upper right corner.