Artwork
Lake Maggiore, May 11,1869: Village and Landscape (recto, from Sketchbook)
Lake Maggiore, May 11,1869: Village and Landscape (recto, from Sketchbook) is a watercolor work on paper by the Hudson River School 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 1869 sketch, titled Lake Maggiore, May 11, 1869: Village and Landscape, records a tranquil lakeside scene rendered in graphite, white gouache and watercolor on blue paper. The composition captures a small village at dusk, with a few boats near the shore and distant mountains receding into a muted sky.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing presents a quiet lakeside settlement bathed in the soft light of early evening. The limited palette emphasizes the calm atmosphere, while the illuminated windows and reflected light on the water suggest a moment of stillness before nightfall.
Technique & Style
Executed en plein air, McEntee employed blue paper as a tonal ground, allowing the cool underlayer to shape the overall mood. Graphite outlines define forms, while white gouache highlights the brightest elements—such as house windows—against the watercolor washes that model sky, water and distant hills.
History & Provenance
Created during McEntee’s 1869 travels in Italy, the sketch was kept in his personal sketchbook and remained unpublished during his lifetime. It later entered the American Wing collection, where it is displayed as an example of his field studies and his connection to the Hudson River School.
Context
Although less celebrated than some of his contemporaries, McEntee was part of the Hudson River School network, sharing journeys and ideas with leading landscape painters. This work reflects the school’s emphasis on direct observation of natural scenery, even when the subject lies far from the Hudson Valley.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jervis McEntee (July 14, 1828 – January 27, 1891) was an American painter of the Hudson River School.
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Lake Maggiore May 12 1869 (recto, from sketchbook)![Village, Mountains, and Lake [Maggiore?] (recto, from sketchbook), by Jervis McEntee](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/jervis-mcentee--village-mountains-and-lake-maggiore-recto-from-sketchbook--3cfb09e258099ce7-w320.webp)
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