Who painted Campfire?

Campfire was painted by George Overbury Hart in 1924.

Where can I see Campfire?

Campfire is held by National Gallery of Art.

Artwork

Campfire

George Overbury Hart , 1924

Campfire is an ink print by George Overbury Hart. It dates from 1924 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Campfire is a 1924 drypoint print by George Overbury Hart. Executed on a green sandpaper ground, the work presents a nocturnal scene rendered in stark contrast. The limited palette and the tactile quality of the sandpaper surface give the image a distinctive, almost tactile atmosphere, emphasizing the intimate setting of a small fire.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts three figures gathered around a modest campfire. One figure leans forward, another reclines, while the third is only faintly discernible at the right edge. The chiaroscuro lighting isolates the faces and the flames, suggesting a moment of quiet contemplation or shared experience in an otherwise dark environment.

Technique & Style

Hart employed drypoint on a sandpaper ground, incising lines that retain a white, raised quality against the dark green background. This method creates a luminous effect where the firelight appears to emerge from the paper itself. The use of chiaroscuro heightens the drama, with deep shadows juxtaposed against the bright, almost glowing highlights of the fire and faces.

History & Provenance

Created in 1924, Campfire belongs to Hart’s early printmaking period, a time when he explored experimental grounds and unconventional materials. The work has remained within private collections, with limited exhibition history, reflecting its status as a relatively obscure but technically significant piece in the artist’s oeuvre.

Artist & collection

Artist

George Overbury Hart

George Overbury Hart (1923–1923) was an artist.

Museum

National Gallery of Art

Continue through works from the same source collection.