Paintings on wall

Paintings on wall

Parlor scene:The framed picture on the wall is Lt. James Meron Matthews. The painting of a cat on the easel is by Percy Sanborn. Percy Sanborn (1849-1929) Percy Sanborn was born in Waldo, Maine and initially worked as a sign painter. His signs and decorative window shades appeared on many of nearby Belfast's commercial establishments, and are highly sought after today. A multi-faceted artist, Sanborn produced illustrations for the Belfast newspaper, painted theatrical backdrops for the local opera house, and decorated stoneware pots. He also painted murals, the most famous of which is in the lobby of the Ritz-Carleton in Boston. Sanborn was also an accomplished violinist, playing in the Belfast Symphonic Orchestra, where he also occasionally conducted, and gave music lessons to many of the local youths. A portrait of a Maine Coon cat looks on from the easel upon which it is perched, not far from a portrait of Lt. James Meron Matthews. Many artists throughout history have felt the need to supplement their artistic efforts with more commercial ones to pay the rent. Belfast artist Percy Sanborn was no exception. He was born in Waldo, Maine and initially worked as a sign painter. His signs and decorative window shades appeared on many of nearby Belfast's commercial establishments, and they are highly sought after today. Best known for his portraits of ships, mostly of vessels from Belfast, he was also known for his pet portraits, especially cats, which he would do on commission for a whopping $5.00. Best known for his portraits of ships, mostly of vessels from Belfast, he was also known for his pet portraits, especially cats. His ship pictures are represented in nearly every major maritime museum in the U.S. and his cat portraits are highly desired by collectors. He was killed in 1929 by a car while crossing a street in Belfast, Maine.