Jay Hall Connaway (Maine/Arizona/Indiana, 1893-1970) oil on artist's board maritime painting titled "Launching Boat, Monhegan, ME" or "Fishermen," depicting a group of fishermen with rowboats on a shore, foreground, preparing to launch into the surf as clouds gather overhead. Signed "Connaway" lower right. Possible additional signature with titles, en verso of board, along with old Christie's auction label. Housed in a wooden frame with mottled red paint and an off white wooden rabbet edge. Sight - 15 1/2" H x 19 1/2" W. Framed - 22 1/2" H x 26 1/4" W. American, second quarter 20th century. Provenance: Estate of Carl Klein, Brentwood, TN. Biography: Jay Hall Connaway was born in Liberty, Indiana, and was known for his coastal life and marine scenery artwork. After studying at the Art Institute of Indianapolis and at the Art Students League in New York with William Merritt Chase, Connaway traveled throughout the United States, taking a number of blue collar jobs including a doryman in a fishing fleet. He was injured in World War I but continued to help with the war effort as a cartographer and medical draughtsman. After the war, he studied in Paris at the Academie Julian and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. He eventually settled on Monhegan Island, a place he and his family inhabited year-round from 1931 until 1947. His work was featured in 85 one-man shows and is in a number of Northeastern museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. (Source: AskArt).

Overall good condition with yellowing, some grime, and scattered minute foxing spots to varnish layer. Board is loose in frame, left edge. Some minor areas of loss to frame, largest 5/8", to rabbet edge. Two stickers, including Christie's auction label, affixed to bottom edge of frame.