Description:

EDWIN MURRAY MACKAY (AMERICAN 1869-1926)
Stopping for a Chat,
oil on canvas
61 x 76.5 cm (24 x 30 1/8 in.)
framed dimensions: 87.5 x 102.5 cm (34 1/2 x 40 3/8 in.)
signed lower left
stamped with Estate stamp on canvas verso

PROVENANCE
Estate of the Artist

LOT NOTES
Stopping for a Chat is a charming example of the artist's genre painting, a style he refined through extensive study in the major art centers of Europe and the United States. Born in Sebewaing, Michigan, MacKay received a traditional and rigorous art education, studying under Kenyon Cox in New York before traveling to Paris to attend the Académie Julian. Under the tutelage of Jean-Paul Laurens and Jacques Blanche, he developed a masterful command of light and texture, which he applied to a wide range of subjects, including high-society portraits, intimate domestic scenes, and breezy European landscapes.

MacKay captures a quiet moment of human connection with the same masterful use of light and shadow that defined his official state portraits. While he was widely celebrated for his formal depictions of Michigan Supreme Court Justices and Governor Albert Sleeper, his genre works often reveal a softer, more atmospheric sensibility. This particular canvas showcases his ability to blend narrative interest with a rich, painterly technique, likely influenced by his time spent with the Silvermine Art Colony in Connecticut and the Lyme School. The work's composition and subtle interplay of figures reflect the traditional instruction of his Parisian years, yet possess a distinctively American warmth.

Ultimately, this painting serves as a testament to MacKay’s versatile career as both a celebrated portraitist and an evocative storyteller of everyday life. His works were regularly featured in prestigious venues such as the Paris Salon, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Carnegie International, earning him a reputation for stately elegance and period charm. Today, his legacy is preserved in the permanent collections of the Detroit Institute of Arts and through his official commissions on display in the Michigan State Capitol. This piece offers an opportunity to acquire a work that encapsulates the technical finesse and historical depth of a pivotal figure in early 20th-century American art.

N.B. Condition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold in as-is condition at the time of sale. Please note that any condition statement regarding works of art is given as a courtesy to our clients in order to assist them in assessing the condition. The report is a genuine opinion held by Shapiro Auctions & Appraisals LLC and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report or a photograph does not preclude the absence of defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. Shapiro Auctions & Appraisals, LLC., including its consultants and agents, shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

List of Recommended Art/Antiques Packers and Shippers
- Global Transit Group (Rostislav), Tel. +1 (718) 449-1971, email: [email protected]) (Eastern Europe/Poland, and general worldwide shipping
- DG Moving Services (Dennis): +1 (914) 433-9764, email: [email protected]>
- ArtFira Shipping (Alex), Tel. +1 (917) 573-5688, email: [email protected] (also Eastern Europe Specialists)
- UPS Store New Rochelle, tel. (914) 633-6673, email: [email protected]
- UPS Store Mt. Kisco, tel. (914) 666-4336, email: [email protected]

List of Art/Antiques Shuttles and Delivery Services
- DG Moving Services (Dennis): +1 (914) 433-9764, email: [email protected] (NYC Greater Metropolitan Area, Mid-Atlantic, New England)
- Crossroads Delivery (Arthur): +1 (917) 807-3758, email: [email protected] (NYC Greater Metropolitan Area, Mid-Atlantic, New England, 95 Corridor to Miami, Chicago, California)
- Bob Glass: +1 (860) 608-8873, [email protected] (New England<->NYC)
- Cadogan Tate, https://cadogantate.com (Continental US)

Shipping Policies
- All items must be paid for before they can be released.
- Clients are free to choose their own shippers, and these recommendations are provided only for convenience. We will not accept liability for any recommendations of shippers.
- The purchaser is responsible for insuring their items in transit. Once items have been picked-up or released to a shipper, they are no longer covered under our insurance.
- Payment for shipment and arrangements for shipment, must be made with the shipper directly. Please feel free to ask for competitive shipment quotes pre or post-auction by referring to the auction date and lot number, when contacting the recommended shippers.
- Taxes must be paid on all items picked up in person, unless you present a valid resale certificate, or a common shipment courier is collecting for shipment out of state and can provide a bill of lading or a airwaybill number.
- To pick-up your items in person: Please call us at +1 (212) 717-7500 to make an appointment to pick up your items in person. If someone else whose name is not on the invoice will be picking up on your behalf, please email or fax us authorizing us to release your property to that person. Payment for all items must have been received and cleared, before merchandise can be released

March 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Bedford Hills, NY, US

Shapiro Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $999,999:
25.00%
$1,000,000 - $4,499,999:
20.00%
$4,500,000+:
13.90%

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $29,999 $2,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $299,999 $20,000
$300,000 $499,999 $25,000
$500,000 $999,999 $50,000
$1,000,000 + $100,000