Name/Title
Painting of ferry 'Oakland' at the Alameda Pier, by L.F. Nelson, 1967Entry/Object ID
2021.10.1Description
Acc. No. 21.10.1
Subject Category: Artists of Alameda, Views, Transportation
Date or Period: 1938, 1967
Object: Painting, oil, framed
Description: An oil painting on canvas, of a ferry boat labeled 'Oakland', with smoke rising, the far end sheltered in a tunnel-like building (the Alameda Mole), with a wooden partition on the left creating a channel, and on the right train tracks with in the distance an approaching train. Hills are visible in the background. 6 people are pictured; 2 standing in the middle of the lower deck, one near the right railing, and an adult and two children on the upper deck. A flying seagull is livening up the foreground, and a cat is sitting on the wooden platform on the right.
It is signed on the lower right in red: L.F. Nelson -1967.
The frame appears to be wood with a tan gesso finish, in which darker straight lines are added in the corners, giving a burn or rubbed look. On the frame is a raised-typed strip label stating (in all caps white raised lettering) 'Alameda Ferry Pier 1938'.
On the back, a white-painted section of a wood plank is wedged behind the middle support of the frame, on which is painted in two colors: (blue:) This was the (red:) Alameda Pier (blue:) - 1938. On the bottom edge an address sticker is placed: LeRoy F. Nelson, 4171 Berdina Road, Castro Valley, Calif 94546. On the left edge of the frame dimensions are written in red: 'O.A.: 44"x56"
Size: Picture: 36"x48"'
History of Object:
Painting after a 1938 photo, by artist Leroy Fulton Nelson (1915-2002). The family moved to Alameda from San Francisco between 1920 and 1930 and LeRoy graduated from Alameda High in 1933, and by 1940 he had married Anna. They later moved to Castro Valley. His paying job was electrician, but he was also a member of the Alameda and San Leandro Art Association, as well as of the Alameda Museum.
The photo after which this picture was painted is likely cataloged as 97.591.1. Photos of this painting, without frame, are cataloged as 97.597.1.
Acquired from: unknown (Mrs. Leroy Nelson?)
Donation Date: prior to 2018 (2002?)
Cataloged: 1/29/2021Interpretative Labels
Label
1/29/2021 MvL: current sign:
Ferry Boat Painting
Alameda Ferry, circa 1905 - Leaving Southern Pacific Building
Passengers could go from ferry to train under cover of the terminal building. This painting done from a photo by Alameda artist Leroy Nelson.
