Description:

Roderick Dempster MacKenzie
American/Alabama, 1865-1941
"Studies for Murals in the Alabama State Capitol Rotunda"
15 gouache, graphite and charcoals on paper and 7 charcoals on paper
unsigned, 6 inscribed "Study for Industry & Commerce Panel No. 8", 4 inscribed "Study for The Bienville Panel No. 2", 2 inscribed "Study for The Pioneer Panel No. 4", 2 inscribed "Study for The Constitution Panel No. 5", one inscribed "Study for The Davis Panel No.7", one inscribed "Study for the Weatherford Panel No. 3" and one inscribed "Study for the De Soto Panel....", unframed, 10 in. x 20 in. to 33 1/2 in. x 20 in. (22 pcs.)

Born in London, John Roderick Dempster MacKenzie immigrated to the United States with his family in 1872 and spent his youth in Mobile, Alabama. Upon the death of his mother in 1880, Mackenzie's father divided the family, and Roderick and one sibling were sent to live at Mobile's Episcopal Church Home for orphans. The community there recognized and encouraged his passion for art, providing scholarship funds for his professional training. He studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston from 1884 to 1886 and later at L'Académie Julian and l'Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He married Charlotte Elizabeth Barnes of Boston in 1891 in France. At the request of art dealers in Calcutta, India, who wished MacKenzie to produce paintings of tigers and jungles which were popular at the time, the couple traveled to India the following year on an adventure that lasted fourteen years.
Declining commissions, nostalgia for the Deep South, and the political unrest that eventually resulted in World War I motivated the MacKenzies to depart for New York City in 1913 and to eventually return to Alabama. By the time he settled in Mobile in 1914 after a twenty-five-year absence, he was undoubtedly the most well-trained and well-traveled artist in Alabama. In 1926, MacKenzie was chosen by the State Capitol Commission to execute eight murals for the rotunda of the State Capitol in Montgomery. The series, depicting episodes from Alabama history from 1540 to 1930, demonstrates MacKenzie's proven abilities with large-scale painting. In addition to the eight canvases, which are still on display, he designed the decorative plasterwork surrounding the murals. The entire project was completed in early 1931 and brought him additional recognition. The lot offered here includes twenty-two rare surviving studies for the Capitol murals which provide insight into his working process and skill at draftsmanship.
Ref.: "Roderick MacKenzie." Encyclopedia of Alabama. https://encyclopediaofalabama.org. Accessed Jan. 10, 2025.

  • Medium: 15 gouache, graphite and charcoals on paper and 7 charcoals on paper
  • Condition: Overall fair to poor condition.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

January 24, 2025 11:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

Neal Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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