Distant View of Mount Vernon
Date1834
Artist
John Gadsby Chapman
(American, 1808 - 1889)
DimensionsOverall (Framed): 24 1/4 in. × 31 3/4 in. × 1 3/4 in. (61.6 cm × 80.65 cm × 4.45 cm)
Credit LineAcquired through the generosity of Lucy S. Rhame and an anonymous donor, 2017
Conservation courtesy of The Founders, Washington Committee Endowment Fund
Object numberH-5539/A-B
DescriptionPainting: A horizontal, rectangular landscape painting of Mount Vernon, viewed from the southeast, at a distance. The foreground is occupied by a river with two small boats of fisherman with sails down. The boat on the left is pulling on a net. The Mount Vernon Mansion is set on a hill to the left and the stable and either the smoke house or circle store house/ clerk’s quarter are further down the hill. The bowling green is defined by spiky trees to the left of the Mansion, and there is a wharf at the base of a path on the far left. In the distance are several other boats including a smaller fishing boat with sails up and a larger ship. The Maryland shore and tree line are visible in the distance. Two-thirds of the composition is occupied by a dramatically lit sky. Inscribed on back of stretcher: “DISTANT VIEW OF MOUNT VERNON drawn on the spot by J. G. Chapman, 1834.” Inscription covered by lining canvas but copied on jelly label attached to stretcher.
Frame: Original gilded frame with flat stepped profile in the Greek Revival style. Three steps descend towards the narrow sight edge and the painting. The frame is composed of two parts, a frame and a liner, assembled with mitered joints. The outside edges of the frame are painted yellow/brown.
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c. 1867-1899
1842
