Who painted Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)?

Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook) was painted by Jervis McEntee in 1869.

Where can I see Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)?

Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)?

Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)

Jervis McEntee , 1869

Lake Como, May 1, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook) is a gouache drawing by the Impressionist artist Jervis McEntee. It dates from 1869 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Lake Como, May 1, 1869 is a small drawing by Jervis McEntee, an American artist linked to the Hudson River School. Executed in graphite with touches of white gouache on blue paper, the work records a tranquil lakeside scene observed during a travel sketch. The piece is part of the museum’s American Wing collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a still lake bordered by slender trees whose upper branches dissolve into a soft veil of mist. The muted palette and limited detail convey a moment of quiet contemplation, reflecting the artist’s interest in capturing the atmospheric qualities of a specific place rather than narrative content.

Technique & Style

McEntee employed graphite for the basic outlines and employed white gouache—applied thickly to emulate the glint of early‑morning light on water. The blue ground paper serves as a tonal base, allowing the white pigment to stand out sharply, a method typical of quick field sketches rather than finished studio works.

History & Provenance

Created in a pocket sketchbook while McEntee was traveling in Italy, the drawing was later incorporated into his personal papers. The artist, active in the Gilded‑Age New York art world, kept journals that document his itineraries and connections with other Hudson River School painters. The work now resides in the museum’s American Wing, reflecting its acquisition from a private collection.