Lot 932: Robert Wadsworth Grafton (American/New Orleans,

Robert Wadsworth Grafton (American/New Orleans, 1876-1936), "The Twelve Hours Mediating Between the Active and Contemplative Life", oil on canvas, signed and dated "1927" lower right, 23 in. x 64 5/8 in., in a giltwood frame. Note: This painting -- interesting for both its style and format -- is loosely based on late 19th century idylls of similar (but usually less populated) subjects by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912) and others. Its studied contrast between the diaphanous classical draperies of the dancing maidens and the Renaissance-period garb of the two gentlemen (together with their characteristic expressions) suggests a classical allegory of the sort alluded to in the title above.