Exciting update. Further research has revealed the true identity of this painting.
A captivating glimpse into the actual setting of the Philadelphia Silver Smelter in Ketchum, near Sun Valley, Idaho portrayed by a naïve artist. The Philadelphia Smelter was the largest in the American West and produced an enormous amount of silver from the local mines. It was a leading contributor to the Silver Rush of the 1880's.
The point of view of the artist centers upon the inner workings of the village itself and its functionality, along with the necessity of an accompanying freight railroad known as the Oregon Short Line, locomotive, and box cars.
The primary dramatic components of the scene include the expansive village, rising smoke stacks of the smelters, Bald Mountain, and prominent receding train tracks of the Oregon Short Line owned by the Union Pacific Railroad in the foreground.
On closer inspection, secondary elements include a locomotive the "UP" insignia which identify as belonging to the Union Pacific Railroad, escalating coal shuttles from train to hopper, a train brakeman securing cars, a driver and horse team pulling a coal laden wagon, a web of sturdy trestles, a water powered log conveyor, a cable spar tree for raising logs from the river, and scattered logs along the river bank. Incidentally, Thomas Edison created a generator that provided electric lighting for the entire operation.
The unknown artist meticulously depicted accurate details of the encampment, which lends to the narrative and authentic nature of the painting.
The Philadelphia Silver Smelter in Ketchum, Idaho officially opened in 1882. The Oregon Short Line spur became operational in 1887. As the rush for silver waned, the buildings here were taken down during the 1890's and no longer exist. This painting captures an important link in American industrial history.
American. Oil on canvas, original stretcher. When black lit, no evidence of repaint. Period gold frame. Some wear to edges of frame.
35" Length 30" Height
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