Helen B. Smith
At Wedding’s Nursery
Jackaranda [Jacaranda] Tree
American: c. 1940s
Watercolor on paper
Each signed and titled verso
Jackaranda Tree signed lower right, H. B. Smith
11 x 14.5 and 14.5 x 11 inches overall, respectively
$900, the pair
Helen B. Smith Tropical Landscape Watercolors
Tropical Garden and Jacaranda Tree
Tropical Garden and Jacaranda Tree
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Pair of tropical watercolor scenes, probably in Bermuda, capturing the natural beauty of the landscapes using a lush color palate and loose, painterly strokes. At Wedding’s Nursery depicts a pathway leading through a circular opening in a brick wall, known as a moon gate (sometimes written as one word -- moongate). A large palmate plant grows in front of the wall, and the moon gate frames the view of a tree and another wall. Jackaranda Tree captures the vivid lilac-blue color of the jacaranda’s foliage set against a quaint cottage and makes effective use of the rough-textured paper to create a sense of atmosphere.
The prior owner of these paintings stated that they depict scenes in Bermuda, which is plausible due to the tropical plants and the moon gate. The moon gate is a national symbol of Bermuda, where they decorate many gardens. Originally a Chinese design, they were widely copied in Bermuda after a sea captain built one there in 1860. The fact that Smith's painting is titled At Wedding's Nursery also fits with the folklore that walking through a moongate brings good luck to newlyweds. Although jacaranda trees are native to Brazil, they grow in Bermuda and were featured on a series of Bermuda postage stamps of flowers.
Condition: Generally very good with the usual light overall toning and wear.
References:
"Bermuda: 1970." Plant Stamps of the World. 24 October 2005. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/plant/stamps/stamps/bermuda.htm (27 October 2005).
"Bermuda Traditions and Their Sources." Bermuda Royal Gazette. 25 October 2005. http://www.bermuda-online.org/traditions.htm (27 October 2005).