Frederic Marlett Bell-Smith (Canadian 1846-1923)
Fishing Fleet, Mouth Of The Fraser River, BC, circa 1910
oil on canvas, signed lower right "FM Bell Smith”
Size: 22 h x 34 w in
J20729
Roger Boulet writes in "Vistas: Artists on the Canadian Pacific Railway": "An evening light bathes this scene. The view is of Georgia Strait to the south of Vancouver in view of Mount Baker on the distant horizon. A note in a sketchbook places Bell-Smith on a boat between Vancouver and Victoria on September 2, 1909, and one presumes that the annual salmon fishing season is at its height judging by the large number of boats on the water…"
Painted while at Alma College in 1910 at the height of Bell-Smith's career, "Fishing Fleet" would have been inspired by a sketch he made while fishing on September 2, 1909. The painting depicts fishing on what is now the Salish Sea, clearly showing the defining line where the fresh water from the Fraser River meets and mixes with the salty ocean. Depicting over 75 fishing vessels, the scene illustrates the prolific BC salmon industry of the time. Fraser River salmon, both canned and salted, was popular and the introduction of stable round-bottomed Columbia River skiffs replacing earlier flat-bottomed boats allowed fishing to extend further out from the shore. Behind the numerous fishing vessels can be seen the iconic peak of Mt. Baker which dominates the southern Vancouver skyline. The scene is set at dusk and is a masterpiece showing Bell-Smith’s skill in both detail and atmosphere.
uno@langmann.com
604 736 8825 or 1 800 730 8825