Lot 47: Another owner EDWARD DARLEY BOIT (1840-1916) Ships on a Beach, Villerville, France, 1881 signed and

dated "Boit Villerville, 13 Sep '81" (lower left) oil on canvas 12 5/8 x 18 1/8 in. (32.1 x 46 cm) oit was, perhaps, best known as the father of four young girls immortalized in one of John Singer Sargent's greatest portraits, THE FOUR DAUGHTERS OF EDWARD DARLEY BOIT. In his own right, Boit was a fine painter as evidenced by Ships on a beach, Villerville, which owes more to Boudin and Whistler than to his friend, Sargent. With its subtle palette and economy of brushwork, Boit's beautifully balanced painting depicts a harbor town, in the early morning hours, before the mist of night burns off.