Ralph Cahoon (1910-1982), Brant Point Mermaids

Lot 75

About Seller

20 Winter Street
Pembroke, MA 02359
United States

Founded in 2005, Copley Fine Art Auctions is a boutique auction house specializing in antique decoys and American, sporting, and wildlife paintings. Over the course of the last two decades, the firm has set auction records for not only individual decoy makers, but also entire carving regions. Copley...Read more

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About Auction

The Winter Sale 2026, Day 1 by Copley Fine Art Auctions

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The Winter Sale 2026, Day 1

By Copley Fine Art Auctions

Feb 20, 2026

Set Reminder 2026-02-20 10:00:00 2026-02-20 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : The Winter Sale 2026, Day 1 https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/copley/the-winter-sale-2026-day-1-22120 Lots 1-300 Copley Fine Art Auctions cinnie@copleyart.com

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Lot Description

Ralph Cahoon (1910-1982)
Brant Point Mermaids
signed "R. Cahoon" lower right
oil on board, 22 by 28 in.

As a direct descendant of the first Dutch settlers of Cape Cod, Ralph Cahoon grew up sailing, fishing, digging clams, and sketching the Massachusetts coast. After graduating from Boston's School of Practical Art, Ralph and his wife, Martha, worked on Cape Cod as furniture decorators. Their works were heavily influenced by Swedish, Pennsylvania-Dutch, and American folk traditions. In 1953 a patron convinced them to frame scenes for a gallery. By 1960 they were exhibiting works on Cape Cod, Nantucket, Long Island, and Florida. By 1970 the Cahoons were primarily selling from their own studio, and their styles captured the idyllic and lighthearted feelings that patrons associated with the Cape and islands. Sailors, mermaids, ships, whales, and balloons became staples of their unique style. After Ralph's death in 1982, Martha sold their house in Cotuit, which later became the Cahoon Museum of American Art.

This fine example of Ralph's work depicts a whimsical scene at Brant Point lighthouse on Nantucket. A group of mermaids swim, fish, paint, and play alongside the iconic coastal landmark. A sailor napping in the sand, possibly intoxicated, is about to receive a cold shower from the mischievous mermaid on the rocks above. Blending island imagery with fanciful storytelling, this painting embodies Ralph Cahoon's enduring appeal and his unique and charming vision of coastal Americana. This painting has never come to market, as it was purchased from the artist by the current owner's mother in the late 1950s.

Provenance: Private Collection, acquired from the artist in the late 1950s
Private Collection, by descent

Condition

Please email condition report requests to leah@copleyart.com.
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