Harbor View by Julius Montalant, American 1823-1878

View of a Harbor

oil on canvas, signed l.l.

Painting: 11 x 18.
Frame: 18 x 25.

Provenance: The Lowell/Putnam Estate

Born in Virginia, probably Norfolk, Julius Montalant is known for his drawings and paintings inspired by his travels on board navy ships.

Attached to the USS St. Louis around 1844-45, he sketched ports of call he visited, including Brazil, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, and China.  Many of his works are held in the Museum of the U.S. Naval Academy.  Navy records indicate his rank as 'C. Clerk', which may mean that he held a civilian position.

During the 1850s he lived in Philadelphia, and in 1851-61 he exhibited at the Philadelphia Art Union and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.  Included were paintings of North America, Greece, China, France, Italy, and South America. The 'tropical' scenes were apparently based on sketches done on board the USS St. Louis.

In 1858 he traveled to Rome, and is recorded to have studied with J.B. Durand-Brager in 1864.  He made Rome his base until his death in 1878.

Source: Peter Hastings Falk, Editor, Who Was Who in American Art