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Fishing Boat and Baldhead by Edgar A. Rupprecht

Painting
Edgar A. Rupprecht, "Fishing Boat Baldhead", 1931 - Watercolor 12"x10" Rupprecht, a protege of Fursman, taught at Ox-Bow after 1929. We see Fursman's influence in the way Rupprecht handles the "rippling" of the river water. In the 1930s, fishing shacks were still common along the Saugatuck waterfront. These shanties were a common subject for the OxBow painters. Back of canvas: "In searching for paintings for the exhibit I visited Love Gallery in Chicago which had quite a number of Rupprechts available, including one of the downtown Saugatuck village square, but it was way out of our price range. They did, however, discover this small watercolor of what is probably the Kalamazoo River near the mouth of Moore's Creek with Baldhead in the background. It is unsigned but was with the collection and even Betsy Rupprecht seemed comfortabe with it being one of her father's works. He taught a class in color, and this painting shows an unusual use of color, one more thing in its favor. The people at the gallery gave me a real break - under $200, as I recall - and I paid it then solicited donations and there were a couple. Bod Johnson is the one I remember, but I think there was one other so I suppose the society really does own it. It is on the Society inventory. - Kit Lane, November, 2008"
Fishing Boat and Mt. Baldhead
screenshot from 2016 appraisal; Alternate title: Moore's Creek Fishing Boat and Baldhead by Edgar A. Rupprecht picture number 3

2012.41.01

Panel

Gouache

Artworks

VanderJagt, Anna

2012.41

Lane, Kit 1939-2024

Donation

Rupprecht, Edgar A. 1889-1954

1931

FishingFishing BoatsBaldheadRupprecht, EdgarRupprecht, Edgar A.

including frame

10 in

13 in

AC bay 07

Art Conservation Room

Fair

Rupprecht, Edgar A. 1889-1954Water St. Fishing Docks

Edgar A. Rupprecht Fishing Boats and Baldhead c. 1931 | watercolor Notes: Rupprecht, a protégé of Fursman, taught at Ox-Bow after 1929. We see Fursman's influence in the way Rupprecht handles the "rippling" of the river water. In the 1930s, fishing shacks were still common at the north end of Saugatuck. These shanties were a common subject for the Ox-Bow painters. Collection: Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society Gift Of: Bob Johnson (and possibly other donors, 1997)

From "Collecting the Lakeshore" 2025-2026 at the History Center main floor gallery Edgar A. Rupprecht 1889-1954 Fishing Boat Baldhead 1931 | gouache on board In the 1930s, fishing shanties were still common features along the Saugatuck waterfront as seen in many artworks gathered here. These picturesque shanties were a common subject for artists at OxBow as well as visiting artists like Detroiter Max Gerger (upper left). Rupprecht, a protege of Fursman, taught at Ox-Bow after 1929 and is included as one of the founding faculty members of the school. The acquisition of the painting is a noteworthy story about the history of the SDHC’s art collection. Kit Lane described the process: In searching for paintings for the [1997 Painting the Town] exhibit I visited Love Gallery in Chicago which had quite a number of Rupprechts available, including one of the downtown Saugatuck village square, but it was way out of our price range. They did, however, discover this small watercolor of what is probably the Kalamazoo River near the mouth of Moore's Creek with Baldhead in the background…He taught a class in color, and this painting shows an unusual use of color, one more thing in its favor. The people at the gallery gave me a real break - under $200, as I recall - and I paid it, then solicited donations, and there were a couple. Purchased for SDHC collection Accession number 2012.41.01

Status: OK Status By: Anna VanderJagt Status Date: 2012-05-21

05/21/2012

09/15/2026