Antwerp hires restorer for 1872 painting
ANTWERP — After 137 years, Cassius M. Coolidge is getting a bath. An 1872 self-portrait by the painter, entrepreneur and north country native, known for his frequently reproduced series of paintings of dogs playing poker, will be carefully cleaned and preserved over the coming months.
The Town Council authorized West Lake Conservators Ltd., Skaneateles, to do the work after receiving a preliminary report on suggested treatment and a cost estimate at the council's September meeting.
The painting belongs to the town of Antwerp and has hung in Crosby Public Library for as long as anyone remembers, said Town Historian Nancy E. Raymon. Town Supervisor John R. Shaw said town officials decided to have the artwork, which is visibly deteriorating, inspected by the conservation firm after someone asked the council about purchasing it about six months ago.
Mr. Coolidge's paintings of dogs playing poker, baseball and billiards have sold for tens of thousands of dollars. The value of the self-portrait is unknown. Mr. Shaw said he'd like to have it appraised.
The repair and preservation work is estimated to cost $2,415. That will include a careful cleaning of surface grime obscuring the image, repairs to flaking paint and measures to prevent further deterioration, said John T. Sutton, a senior painting conservator with West Lake.
Mr. Coolidge was born in the town of Philadelphia but spent much of his life in the village of Antwerp, where he pursued a variety of business ventures. As a young man, he painted street signs and house addresses in the village and drew cartoons at public events. He founded the Antwerp News in 1871 and the Bank of Antwerp in 1872.
Leona M. Shaw, wife of Mr. Shaw and the town's deputy supervisor, said she believed the self-portrait — which features noticeably asymmetrical ears — once hung in the bank. Town officials said they were unsure when the painting was moved to the library.
Mr. Shaw said the town never considered selling the painting, but the purchase inquiry piqued town officials' curiosity. They wanted to find out whether the painting was worth restoring, and just what about it the would-be buyer found so compelling, Mrs. Shaw said.
"It's got to be one of the most interesting pieces we've ever seen in here, because of its history," said Mr. Sutton, the conservator. "It's really amazing to see."
Mr. Coolidge is "a very, very famous painter," Mr. Sutton said. "His paintings are reproduced all over the place."
Mr. Shaw said that once the restoration is complete, he would like to have the painting hung in the Town Clerk's office, where more people would see it.
