At The Cottage Door, J.A. Gunn, 1870
Warner Robins, GA A hidden Masterpiece, titled, "At The Cottage Door", by Artist, J.A. Gunn, Circa 1870, kept locked away from public viewing for more than 200 years, has surfaced and has been donated to the GA Museum of Aviation located in Warner Robins, GA (www.museumofaviation.org)
The masterpiece has been donated to the Museum of Aviation by Dr. Joseph A. and Mrs. Kathy Y. Resnick on behalf of the Resnick Children's Trust of Nevada from their private collection. Dr. Joseph A. Resnick is the Inventor of Stealth Technology and holds 26 US Patents, twelve of which are classified. Dr. Resnick is also the Inventor of WAPED, BioBoom, BioSok, PRP, and a family of bioremediation technologies taught in US Patent No. 5,807,724 first used in cleanup of the Valdez Oil Spill in Prince Edward Sound Alaska, in 1989.
Dr. Resnick is a Founding Member of the Aerospace Medical Association's Human Factors Engineering Branch, responsible for development of modern-day 'Anti-G Suits', an Inductee into the NASA Spinoff Hall of Fame (see Cover Story, NASA Spinoff Magazine, September, 1994), as well as having served as a consultant to NASA, DoD, USAF, US Space Command, USSOCOM, SAFDE and various other USAF components for the past 30 years. Dr. Resnick is presently a consultant to JIEDDO Command HQ and US Space Command.
Seven of Dr. Resnick's inventions' were displayed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Galaxy Arcade, from 1985 through 1996, adjacent to the 'Moon Rocks Display' in the Main Galaxy Arcade, and included ECADD (electronic cleansing and debridement device); Interoral Telemetry Control Device (denture-mounted guidance-control system); Speech Synthesis/Training Devices; STS Shuttle Fueling Sub-Systems Monitors; Pollution-Control Monitors/Alarms for Space Suits and the In-The-Ear Talk-Through Hearing Protection Device, which later evolved in to what is known (today) as the 'Miracle Ear' hearing aid device.
The work of art was produced by a genre' artist, J.A. Gunn, in 1870, around the time of the Potato Famine in Ireland and is signed in red by the Artist. Gunn titled the work, "At The Cottage Door". The 'impish-looking' fellow (subject) in the work is wearing garb typical to late 18th Century Ireland. A distinctive 'Irish hat' and potatoes are strewn on the floor spilling from a sack indicating that the subject may have just finished harvesting a bag of potatoes. Also present is a typical earthenware pitcher used to hold 'stout' and there's a glass on the inverted basket which appears to be half full indicating the subject has just finished the day's work.
This painting has been in Dr. Resnick's extended family for over 130 years and the line of ownership, itself, has a very colorful history! The painting was first owned by Dr. Resnick's Maternal Great Grand Father, James E. Mason, who 'won' the piece in a game of cards. James E. Mason was the father of Dr. Resnick's Maternal Grand Mother, Anne Elizabeth Mason. Both James E. Mason and Anne Elizabeth Mason were descendants of George Mason, first owner of New Hampshire and Governor of Massachusetts and Signer of the Declaration of Independence. James E. Mason passed away in 1899 at which time Anne E. Mason fell heir to the painting. Anne E. Mason passed away in 1976 at the age of 88 years. The painting remained in the Mason Family from the time period 1875 through 1976. In 1976 Dr. Resnick's Mother, Virginia Mason Milberger, inherited the painting from Anne E. Mason/Milberger, her Mother. In 1983 Dr. Resnick's Mother passed away and Dr. Resnick fell heir to the work. Since September, 1984, the painting has been locked in a safe at a secure location and has never been displayed to the general public. The painting is in the original frame, which has a distinctive brocade (sculpted plaster with gold leaf overlay) ornating the entire frame. There are two spots on the frame that are damaged which can be easily repaired by an Artisan possessing reasonable skill in the art of such repair.
The physical dimensions of the canvas are 18" inches wide inside the frame, and 24" inches high inside the frame. The fame itself, dimensions are 24" wide by 32" high.
The method in which the canvas is placed in the actual frame, with wooden wedges, which are small, wooden triangular-shaped spacers typically used in the art of frame-making in the late 1800's England, attest to the authenticity of the age/era of the work.
The painting has been signed in red by the Artist, and reads, 'J Gunn, 1870'.
In early 2006 the Resnick's attended an antique-show/
In late 2006 Dr. Resnick submitted hi-res photos and an application to Southeby's of London to the New York City, office in an effort to determine a possible value of the work. The description of the painting along with the hi-res photo's were sent by Southeby's to their representative in Dublin, Ireland who estimated the value to be somewhere between Seven to Eleven Thousand Pounds Sterling ($8413.00 to $16,480.00). Southeby's would not take the work on consignment as the price threshold was/is below their standard.
As no 'certified appraisal' has ever been rendered regarding this work of art, other than a letter stating probable value by Sotheby's of New York, the painting may be worth much more that the reserve price at which it is being presented.
Dr. Resnick said, "Our family is delighted that we are able to make this small contribution to the Museum which, in itself, is a tribute not only to the US Air Force and all whom have served therein, but also to anyone who has ever dreamed of flying". Resnick continued, "Dr. Richard Warren Heinemann, who was General George Smith Patton's Deputy MASH Director, taught me to do a 'barrel-roll' when I was just 13 years old. And I wish every kid could experience that feeling. Perhaps this small gesture will enable that for some lucky kid!"
The Museum of Aviation is located in Warner Robins, GA, is open 362 days per year and admission is free to the general public.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
