Jacob I. Greenleaf

Jacob I. Greenleaf, American,(1887 - 1968). Born in Reval, Estonia, Jacob Greenleaf became an active painter in Rockport, Massachusetts. He studied at the Russia Art School in Vilno, now Vilnius, Lithuania, and in Paris for two years before immigrating to the United States.He was a member of the American Artists Professional League and exhibited at the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, the North Shore Arts Association, the Rockport Art Association, and the National Academy of Design where a number of his paintings were well received. In this painting, Greenleaf offers his very well executed interpretation of one of the most painted Cape Ann subjects, Motif #1,the dark red shack located on Bearskin Neck wharf in Rockport, Massachusetts. According to John L. Cooley, author of the "Rockport Sketch Book", America's most-painted building received its name in an impulsive exclamation by Lester Hornby. This illustrator and etcher taught in Paris in the winter; his pupils, in the French manner, drew certain standard subjects or motifs. During his summer seasons in Rockport, Hornby noted that many pupils chose the venerable, dilapidated shed on the edge of the inner harbor. Its prominence and its simple but interesting proportions made it a natural model for sketches and paintings, good and bad. One day when a student brought for criticism a pencil drawing of the house, Hornby exclaimed, "What-Motif No 1 again!"  It has been that ever since. Another interpretation of Motif No. 1 by Tod Lindenmuth is currently also on exhibit in our online gallery. Credit:    Falk; Who Was Who in American Art On exhibit: "Motif #1, Rockport, MA", Signed lower right. Oil on Canvas. 16" x 20"

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