Artwork
The Old Westover House
The Old Westover House is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Edward Lamson Henry. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Edward Lamson Henry’s 1869 oil on paperboard, titled The Old Westover House, depicts a sizable red‑brick residence with green shutters set amid a grassy yard and surrounding trees. A flag flies from the roof while a modest crowd in period attire—riders, pedestrians, and a few figures on the porch—populate the foreground.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a domestic scene framed by elements of 19th‑century life: wagons, a tent, and a cannon stand near the house, suggesting a moment of communal activity or celebration. The juxtaposition of the tranquil yard with military paraphernalia hints at the intersection of civilian and national themes.
Technique & Style
Henry employs soft brushwork to render the interplay of light and shadow across the cloudy yet bright sky, the foliage, and the brick façade. The subtle gradations give the painting a calm atmosphere while maintaining a sense of movement among the figures and horses.
History & Provenance
Created in 1869, The Old Westover House reflects Henry’s interest in historic American subjects, a focus that appears throughout his oeuvre. The work remains an example of his mid‑nineteenth‑century practice of documenting everyday scenes with narrative detail.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Edward Lamson Henry (January 12, 1841 – May 9, 1919), commonly known as E.L. Henry, was an American genre painter, born in Charleston, South Carolina.
