Will Sparks
(1862-1937)
"Borromeo Mission," 1913
Oil on panel
Signed lower right: Will Sparks; titled and dated faintly on a piece of tape along the verso of the upper panel edge; titled and dated again on a label affixed to the frame
12.5" H x 15.375" W
A painter, etcher and muralist, Will Sparks became one of California's premier artists, best known for his mission and nocturnal adobe scenes.† Born in St. Louis, Mo., Sparks showed artistic talent as a child, selling his first painting when he was 12. He attended the St. Louis School of Fine Arts, and then went to New York and Paris to the Academies Julian and Colarossi, where he studied with Jean-Leon Gerome, Henri-Joseph Harpignies and William-Adolphe Bouguereau.
In 1834, the Mexican government secularized the mission system, and by the late 19th century the missions had drastically deteriorated.† Will Sparks was one of early California artists to paint the missions in large part because of the dilapidated state of these structures, as their rustic and time-worn features provided a fascinating subject matter while at the same time exemplifying "Old California".† Oil paintings similar to this example created renewed interest to preserve and restore the missions.

Visual: Overall good condition. Stable craquelure scattered throughout, primarily in the upper and lower portion of the work. An unobtrusive pinpoint-sized hole in the panel. presumably attendant with the natural surface of the panel. A pea-sized area of grime in the lower left quadrant.

Blacklight: No evidence of restoration.

Frame: 18" H x 21" W x 3" D Condition reports are offered as a courtesy and are typically published in Moran's catalogue or can be made available upon request. The absence of a condition report does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of others. Buyers are responsible for determining to their own satisfaction the true nature and condition of any lot prior to bidding. Though buyers are not legally required to inspect lots prior to purchase, failure to do so may constitute a waiver of complaint that an item was not delivered in a condition equal to the existent condition at the auction.