Who painted Lake Como, May 3, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)?

Lake Como, May 3, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook) was painted by Jervis McEntee in 1869.

Where can I see Lake Como, May 3, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)?

Lake Como, May 3, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Lake Como, May 3, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)?

Lake Como, May 3, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Lake Como, May 3, 1869 (recto, from Sketchbook)

Jervis McEntee , 1869

Lake Como, May 3, 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

Jervis McEntee’s *Lake Como, May 3, 1869* is a graphite and white gouache drawing on blue paper, executed during the artist’s travels. Part of a sketchbook, the work captures a fleeting lakeside view with rapid, economical marks. Its modest scale and immediacy reflect the artist’s practice of recording observations directly from nature.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing presents a tranquil lakeside scene, dominated by a single tree arching over still water. Small boats rest near the shore, while distant hills dissolve into atmospheric haze. McEntee’s composition emphasizes quiet observation rather than dramatic narrative, suggesting a moment of personal reflection amid a broader European journey.

Technique & Style

McEntee employed graphite for linear definition and white gouache to model highlights, exploiting the blue paper’s tonality to evoke depth. The opaque gouache creates luminous accents, particularly on foliage and water, while the graphite lines remain fluid and understated. This method aligns with the Hudson River School’s emphasis on direct observation and tonal harmony.

History & Provenance

Created in 1869 during McEntee’s European sojourn, the sketch remained within his personal collection until later acquisition by an institution. As part of a working sketchbook, it offers insight into the artist’s process and travels. Its inclusion in the American Wing underscores its role in documenting 19th-century artistic practices.

Context

McEntee was affiliated with the Hudson River School, though his reputation has often been overshadowed by more prominent peers.

McEntee was affiliated with the Hudson River School, though his reputation has often been overshadowed by more prominent peers. His journals provide valuable accounts of the New York art world during the Gilded Age, revealing the social and professional networks that shaped American landscape painting. This sketch reflects his engagement with European scenery while maintaining ties to domestic artistic traditions.