This is a finely rendered and lovely Antique Old New England Maine Desert Plein Air Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting on artist board, by seldom seen early Scituate, Massachusetts Impressionist painter, Priscilla Sibley (1905 - 1985.) This work depicts a delicately painted landscape scene, of gold hued sand dunes, with large trees farming the scene at the edges. In the distance, small hills and a clouded sky can be seen. Signed: "Priscilla Sibley" in the lower left corner. Additionally, this work is titled "Desert of Maine" at the top right edge of the verso. The desert of Maine is a curious man-made desert created in the 1890's, which is located in Freeport, Maine. An old framer's label on the verso also reads: "From S. Alpert Fine Picture Framing...Boston, MASS." Despite Sibley's regional fame, immense talent, and reputation in her local community, her work is not well known outside of Massachusetts. She lived in Newton, Middlesex, Massachusetts as a young girl, moving to Wellsley, Middlesex, Massachusetts when she was 25, before finally settling in Scituate, Massachusetts, near Brookline, in the 1940's, where she would reside the rest of her life. Perhaps you know more about this artist or her work? This piece likely dates to the 1920's - 1930's. This small gem is approximately 7 3/4 x 10 3/4 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 4 x 9 inches. Good condition for age, with a few light scuffing and edge wear to the original period gilded frame (please see photos.) Acquired from an old collection in Los Angeles, California. This is without a doubt the finest known artwork by Priscilla Sibley to ever be offered on the market. I also have another landscape painting by Priscilla Sibley in my current listings. Priced to sell. If you like what you see, I encourage you to make an Offer. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks!
About the Artist:
This artist resided south of Boston, at Scituate, Massachusetts, near Brookline. This is where Ms. Sibley lived and painted.
Scituate Library “Friends” help to raise funds for programs and events
Nearly 50 years of serving the library
"...According to Sue D’Arcangelo, Friends liaison until she retired this spring, the Friends began in April 1972 with a “sherry and cheese reception at the Peirce Memorial Library.”
The first book sale was in 1972 on the grounds of the Allen Library.
A newsletter written by Evelyn Finnegan, chairperson at the time, states, “Mrs. Allen Lester headed a group of volunteers which in one day provided the Friends with a profit of $359 – a most wonderful start.”
There was a long list of actions the Friends took part in that first year, D’Arcangelo said, which included activities during the Scituate Arts Festival, senior citizen programs with coffee hour, a contribution of $100 for plantings at the library, a Trim the Tree Party and snacks for kids in December, joining with the Arts Association to form the Library Art Committee, holding an exhibit of the work of Priscilla Sibley, hosting the First Annual Friends meeting and reception, and reading to the elderly."
| Age | 34, born about 1906 |
| Birthplace | New York |
| Gender | Female |
| Race | White |
| Home in 1940 | Hillside Road
Scituate,
Plymouth, Massachusetts |