The following description for has been prepared entirely by the current owner, Roberts S. Fastov, Esq., and, at the collector’s request, has not been edited by Sloans & Kenyon

Note 1) The following Hagerup biographical materials are taken from the Askart.com website:

“Nels Hagerup (1864-1922) was born in Christiania, Norway in 1864 into a family that included the composer Edward Hagerup Grieg. Nels Hagerup studied at the Christiania Art School, Royal Academy in Berlin, and in Copenhagen with Carl Locher. 

After sailing to the West Coast as a merchant seaman in 1882, he settled in Portland, Oregon. There he was an instructor of drawing at the Bishop Scott Academy (now called Hill Academy) and was a founder of the Portland Art Association. About 1892 he moved to San Francisco where he remained. He worked there as a stevedore on the waterfront and later established a home and studio in the Sunset District at 1224 46th Avenue within walking distance of the ocean. 

Hagerup painted nearly 6,000 oils of sand dunes, ships and marine scenes. One of his more important works is the 16' x 18' mural in the Assembly Room of the San Francisco Merchants' Exchange Building. 

Due to alcoholism some of his paintings are uneven in quality; however, in his more lucid moments, he was a master of atmospheric seascapes. He died of a heart attack in his studio on March 13, 1922.

Exhibited: Lewis & Clark Expo (Portland), 1905 (gold medal); Alaska-Yukon Expo (Seattle), 1909 (gold medal); California Historical Society, 1963 (retrospective). Works held: California Historical Society; San Bruno (CA) Public Library.

Source:
Edan Hughes, “Artists in California, 1786-1940 (Emphasis added).” 

Note 2) Hagerup is most valued and was most famous for the sophisticated, subtle, atmospheric California coastal seascape, particularly those portraying a sunset time and waves crashing on rocks, such as is the case with this auction lot. The foregoing considerations, including the above biographical information, and the following auction records regarding Hagerup sales warrant the conclusion that the presale estimate of $1,500-$3,000 is reasonable and justifiable.

Title/Subject: The Pulse of the Pacific Signed. Oil on canvas. 16.25 in. x 28.25 in. sold for $1,610 on 02/16/2010 at John Moran Auctioneers, Altadena, CA

Title/Subject: Steamer Off The Coast Of California At Sunset Signed. Oil on canvas. 18 in. x 26 in. sold for $1,896 on 07/11/2009-07/12/2009 at Clars Auction Gallery, Oakland, CA

Title/Subject: Calm Waters Signed. Oil on canvas. 28.20 in. x 32.20 in. sold for $7,050 on 09/15/2006 at Skinner, Inc., Marlborough, MA

Title/Subject: California Sunset Coastal With Sailing Vessel In The Distance Signed. Oil on canvas. 18 in. x 30 in. sold for $2,875 on 06/20/2006 at John Moran Auctioneers, Altadena, CA

$1,725 on 06/20/2006 at John Moran Auctioneers, Altadena, CA

Title/Subject: An Ocean Sunset Signed. Oil on canvas. 18 in. x 28 in. sold for $2,988 on 06/11/2006 at Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco CA

Title/Subject: Breaking Waves at Sunset Signed. Oil on canvas. 17.50 in. x 27.50 in. sold for $4,113 on 05/19/2006 at Skinner, Inc., Boston, MA

Title/Subject: Washington Seascape Signed. Oil on canvas. 12 in. x 16 in. sold for $2,151 on 05/07/2006 at Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco CA

Title/Subject: Raccoon Straights Signed. Oil on artist's board. 10 in. x 14 in. sold for $1,700 on 03/05/2006 at Clars Auction Gallery, Oakland, CA

Title/Subject: Sunset on the Dunes Signed. Oil on artist's board. 20 in. x 30 in. sold for $5,288 on 12/12/2005 at Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco CA

Title/Subject: Waves at Sunset Signed. Oil on canvas. 18 in. x 30 in. sold for $3,819 on 12/12/2005 at Bonhams & Butterfields, San Francisco CA