The Big Pavilion

Painting

-

Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Watercolor painting of the Big Pavilion, view from across the river

Watercolor painting of the Big Pavilion, view from across the river

Name/Title

The Big Pavilion

Entry/Object ID

2012.10.01

Tags

Collecting the Art Coast

Description

C.J. Doherty, "The Big Pavilion", 1916 - Watercolor, framed and matted. Doherty was a scholarship student at the Art Institute of Chicago. He created this work while vacationing in Saugatuck with his brother and parents.

Type of Painting

On paper

Artwork Details

Medium

Watercolor

Subject Person or Organization

Big Pavilion 1909-1960

Collection

Artworks, 1909 Big Pavilion -1960

Cataloged By

VanderJagt, Anna

Acquisition

Accession

2012.10

Acquisition Method

Donation

Made/Created

Artist

Doherty, Cyrus Joseph 1890-1978

Date made

1916

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Notes

Signature Location: bottom left

Lexicon

Search Terms

Watercolor, Painting, The Big Pavilion, Doherty, C. J., the Big Pavilion

Dimensions

Height

16 in

Width

18 in

Dimension Notes

Frame Size: 23" x 18.75" x 1" Image Size: 15.75 x 11."

Location

Shelf

AC bay 17

Room

Art Conservation Room

Condition

Overall Condition

Excellent

Notes

Professionally conserved and restored by Kari Miller in 2015 Archival framing (filtered glass) by Marie Muha. 2015 cost of restoration was

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Big Pavilion 1909-1960

Interpretative Labels

Label

Cyrus James (C.J.) Doherty 1890 - 1978 The Big Pavilion 1916 | watercolor Notes: Doherty was a scholarship student at the Art Institute of Chicago at the age of 14. In 1916 he vacationed in Saugatuck, Michigan, with his parents and brother where he painted this restrained watercolor of the Big Pavilion. Shortly after the visit, he joined the army and served until the end of World War I. In 1925, he moved his family to Pasadena, California. (adapted from Painting the Town by Kit Lane.) Collection: Saugatuck Douglas History Center Gift of: Purchased for the collection from the estate of Cyrus Doherty

Label

From "Collecting the Lakeshore" 2025-2026 at the History Center main floor gallery Cyrus Joseph Doherty 1890-1978 Big Pavilion 1916 | watercolor on paper This study of Saugatuck’s Big Pavilion captures it during the golden age of steamship tourism. Opened in 1909 the monumental “Brightest Spot on the Great Lakes” was just seven years old when Art Institute of Chicago student C.J. Doherty drew it during a family vacation to Saugatuck. The artwork was an early acquisition for the SDHC. The painting was purchased by the Historical Society in 1996 from family descendent, Richard J. Doherty of San Diego California, at a cost of $260. Records note that several donors helped support the purchase and the sale was facilitated by Kit Lane. Purchased by SDHC Accession 2012.10.01

General Notes

Note

Status: Restoration Status By: Anna VanderJagt Status Date: 2012-02-09

Create Date

February 9, 2012

Update Date

September 15, 2026