Uncovering the Art and Enigma of James Fitzgerald with Susan Danly

Inspired by the remarkable discovery of a hidden second image on the verso of Lot 4380—a work by James Fitzgerald featured in our upcoming Autumn Majestic Auction—Thomaston Auction presents an exclusive conversation between Elizabeth McLeod and Dr. Susan Danly, acclaimed American art historian and Fitzgerald expert.In this in-depth discussion, Danly—former Senior Chief Curator at the Portland Museum of Art and now Curatorial Consultant for the James Fitzgerald Legacy—guides listeners through Fitzgerald’s story, exploring his creative process, his enduring relationship with Monhegan Island, and the hidden enigma of his rare dual-sided compositions.About Susan DanlyA specialist in American Art, Susan Danly holds MA and PhD degrees from Brown University. Her curatorial career spans some of the nation’s most respected institutions, including the Portland Museum of Art (2002–2012), where she now serves as Curatorial Consultant for the Fitzgerald Legacy; the Mead Art Museum (1993–2000); the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1988–1993); and the Huntington Library and Art Gallery (1984–1987).At the Portland Museum of Art, Danly curated a wide range of acclaimed exhibitions devoted to the art and artists of Maine—from three Biennials to thematic shows on historical and contemporary photography, as well as exhibitions of prints and graphics from the museum’s permanent collection. Her major publication, Maine Moderns: Art in Seguinland, 1900–1940 (2011), received awards from the Boston Art Critics Association and the New England Society of New York.Over the past decade, Danly has continued to shape the conversation around Monhegan Island artists through her scholarship and exhibitions, including Side by Side on Monhegan: The Henri Circle and the American Impressionists (2004), Lynn Drexler, Painter (2008), and The Famous and the Forgotten: Monhegan 1914 (2014). She also co-authored Warner Taylor: Photographing Monhegan, 1912–1958 with Lucia Taylor Miller and currently serves as President of the Board for the Monhegan Artists’ Residency Program.A Legacy PreservedThrough the stewardship of the James Fitzgerald Legacy at the Monhegan Museum—where Fitzgerald’s house and studio, originally built by Rockwell Kent, are preserved as a National Historic Landmark—Thomaston Auction is honored to serve as steward of this remarkable discovery, offering collectors a rare opportunity to engage directly with a pivotal piece of American art history.To learn more about the artist’s life and work, visit the James Fitzgerald Legacy. And for information on visiting the island and the museum, explore the Monhegan Museum of Art & History website. Experience the DiscoveryFor an inside look at the moment this hidden composition was revealed, watch Uncovering Hidden Artwork by James Fitzgerald on YouTube. This short film captures the  excitement of discovering Fitzgerald’s double-sided work for the first time.Bid on HistoryDon’t miss your chance to own this extraordinary work.