Thomas Chambers Painting, “View of Nahant,” to Highlight Nadeau’s Major Fall Auction
One of only five known paintings from the artist’s Nahant series, the work returns to auction nearly 40 years after its appearance at Sotheby’s New York.
Nadeau’s Auction Gallery is pleased to present View of Nahant, an oil on canvas by American artist Thomas Chambers (1808-1869), as a highlight of our upcoming Major Fall Chinese, Shaker, and Americana Auction on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Known for his distinctive coastal landscapes and maritime scenes, Chambers developed a recognizable style characterized by bold colors, dramatic skies, and stylized compositions. His paintings have become increasingly sought after by collectors of American folk art and 19th-century landscape painting.
View of Nahant depicts the picturesque coastline of Nahant, Massachusetts, a seaside destination north of Boston. The composition captures waves breaking along a rocky shoreline, small figures gathered on the beach, and sailing vessels along the distant horizon. Above the scene, an expansive blue sky filled with softly illuminated clouds demonstrates Chambers’ characteristic approach to light, color, and atmosphere.
What makes this painting particularly significant is its rarity and auction history. Only five paintings from Chambers’ Nahant series are known. The present work was previously sold at Sotheby’s New York in its Important Americana sale, January 28-30, 1987, as lot 1066, achieving $18,700 including buyer’s premium.
Another painting from the same series, View of Nahant (Sunset), was offered in that 1987 Sotheby’s sale and later appeared at Christie’s New York on January 20, 2022. That work achieved an extraordinary $437,500, establishing a world auction record for Thomas Chambers.
Measuring 22 x 30 inches, View of Nahant represents a rare opportunity to acquire a painting from this small and historically significant series, offering collectors an exceptional example of Chambers’ celebrated maritime landscapes.
The painting will be offered as part of Nadeau’s Auction Gallery’s Major Fall Chinese, Shaker, and Americana Auction, featuring over 500 lots of fine art, American furniture, Chinese works of art, Shaker antiques, and historical Americana.
Auction Information
Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 10:00 AM EST
Nadeau’s Auction Gallery
25 Meadow Road, Windsor, Connecticut
For additional information and to view the auction catalog, visit www.nadeausauction.com.
