Artwork
Pickman-Derby House, 70 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts
Pickman-Derby House, 70 Washington Street, Salem, Massachusetts is an oil painting by Mary Jane Derby. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Mary Jane Derby’s 1825 oil on canvas portrays the three‑story Pickman‑Derby House at 70 Washington Street in Salem, Massachusetts. The composition centers on the white‑faced residence with green shutters, set before a modest front yard enclosed by a black iron fence. A rider on horseback passes the house, while figures linger on the sidewalk, all beneath a cloudy sky that frames the urban scene.
Subject & Meaning
The work records a specific domestic architecture of early nineteenth‑century Salem, emphasizing the everyday activity surrounding the residence. By including a horseman and onlookers, Derby suggests a moment of local life, capturing both the built environment and the social presence that animates it.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting employs a realistic, detailed approach typical of early American genre scenes. Precise brushwork defines the façade, shutters, and fence, while softer tones render the sky and distant buildings, creating depth and a sense of atmospheric perspective.
History & Provenance
Created in 1825, the canvas entered the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in early American landscape and architectural subjects, preserving Derby’s contribution to the period’s visual record.
Own this work as a print
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