Woodside was once home to a Venetian Masterpiece
Unbelievable? Yep, but true. Beginning in 1999, Yours truly and many other folks were expending a lot of time and effort to make sure Woodside, Maplewood’s oldest home at Folk and Bredell, remained standing despite the efforts of a bunch of other folks that didn’t want to see that happen.
Part of the strategy of the saviors of Woodside was to get her listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A couple of the people involved were Esley Hamilton the county historian and Kris Zapalac, a historic preservation specialist working for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Kris’ research for the NR nomination, which you can read here, uncovered many mind blowing events from the past that were previously unknown to us here in town.
In the course of this project I had the good fortune to meet a descendant of the builders of Woodside, Greg Rannells, newly a Maplewoodian, transplanted from California. He introduced me to their family historian, Elise Rannells Todd of Richardson, Texas. Elise was a wonderful source for most everything about Rannells family history. Sad to say Elise passed away during this past year. I miss her.
In 2004, as luck would have it, my brother was getting married in Richardson, Texas, very near where Elise and her husband Glenn lived. When Elise found out that my wife and I were coming down she invited us to stay at their home without ever having met us. We didn’t stay there but we did visit which has been well documented in my blog and two Maplewood history books.*
During our visit, Elise allowed me to photograph anything that I cared to regarding the Rannells family history. This included documents, photographs, paintings, furniture, quilts, etc. Hanging in one of her rooms was the Ricci painting that is the subject of this post. I was stunned.
A late 17th century Venetian masterpiece had been hanging in Maplewood’s Woodside for who knows how long? The Rannells family built Woodside about 1850 and sold her in 1920. Had this painting been there for 70 years? We’ll never know but it may have been. It seems certain that it was there for a very long while.
Since my wife and I first saw it much has happened to the painting. Elise and Glenn offered it for sale through Heritage Auctions of Dallas. Esley Hamilton and I lobbied Judith Mann of SLAM to buy it for their collection. Didn’t happen. The timing was bad. This was during the economic turndown in 2008. It did not sell because it failed to make the estimate. Later it was restored in London if I remember correctly. Not related to the painting but one of the representatives from Heritage who was a contact for the Todds committed suicide along the side of a road.
Now and until January 9, this painting is on view at SLAM in their Art Along the Rivers show. I still haven’t figured out how it got there but I intend to. Don’t waste any time, you’ve got 9 days to get down there and see what may have been the most valuable painting to ever hang in Maplewood.
I wish you all a healthy, virus-free New Year. Wear your masks!
Doug Houser January 1, 2022
*Should any potential owners of my two Maplewood books have any doubt, yes the holiday sales were strong. As I have said, the hardcovers of Maplewood History, Volume Two have sold out. The softcovers are still available. The quality of the paper and printing is exactly the same as the hardcovers. They are $35 from me or Scheidt True Value Hardware at 7320 Manchester. There are no other dealers. $5 shipping to anywhere in the continental US.
For those who are interested, copies of Volume One, Maplewood, the First 100 Years, are still available from the Mid County C of C at 7326A Manchester, only two doors from the hardware store. I’m not sure how much they are but they are cheaper than Volume Two because they are in black and white. You should call first. 314-781-8588.
Thanks, Doug! Interestingly, a grandson, two great granddaughters and a great grandaughter of Charles and Mary became art historians! – Rachel Potter, great grandaughter of Charles and Mary.
Art definitely runs in the family. Thanks, Rachel.
Interesting, Walmart has many Sebastiano Ricci reproductions for sale. Ranging from $12.99 to $110.00.
Man, that’s wild. I’d like to have a picture of some of those. Thanks for letting us know.
Alas, SLAM is closed until next month so no chance of seeing this masterpiece there :o/
Wow Doug, this was one of the most remarkable stories yet from your Maplewood history posts! Gary and I can’t thank you enough for sharing the countless details of your 20-year journey of research into the rich and amazing tales of life and death of the people who built and contributed to our little corner of the world. Very meaningful indeed. And although it was never to come to be, we want to thank you and the many other folks who worked so hard trying to preserve the historic site of the Woodside property. For sure, Doug, you are most certainly a major part of this grand web of stories!
Once again, thank you for your time and expertise in this long and persistent endeavor. Wishing you and Arlene a healthy and happy 2022 as we all continue looking forward to your wonderful posts.
Sharon Tash
Thanks, Sharon. You say such nice things. I truly appreciate them.
Absolutely fascinating.
Ain’t it?
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