This was painted in 1884 by John Noble Barlow, who was one of the earliest members of the Providence Art Club. Now Chris Ratcliffe is researching the painting, which has been in his family for some years, and would like Islanders’ help in identifying the scene.

Chris Ratcliffe writes:

“The back of the stretcher (the wood that the canvas is stapled to) has the original label from William Calder and Sons, Westminister street, Providence, R.I. Since the stretcher is from Providence, we are almost positive that the piece was done locally because one would not travel far with a wooden stretcher as it would be cumbersome.

“We originally believed the scene was of Mohegan Bluff on Block Island, but there is a pier in the background; that most likely precludes it being from there. However, there was a pier at Gay Head for steamships around the time that this painting was done.

“Barlow and other Providence Art Club Members frequented Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard via steamer to paint the stunning clay cliffs. The painting measures 14 inches by 7 inches.

“It would have been very simple for Barlow to have written the location of the scene, but alas, he did not.

“Therefore, I was hoping that someone on Martha’s Vineyard has a photograph of this same spot, with the pier in the background, and we can determine once and for all where this was painted.

“If anyone has information about the location of this scene, they could e-mail me at triplemcr@aol.com or call me at 401-333-2284.”