Artwork
An Old Dam Near Montrose
An Old Dam Near Montrose is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James David Smillie. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
James David Smill’s 1891 aquatint titled *An Old Dam Near Montrose* depicts a tranquil pond framed by trees and low vegetation. A modest island rises in the centre of the water, while a gentle hillside looms behind, punctuated by a small structure near the shore.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a quiet rural landscape, emphasizing the stillness of the water and the subtle interplay of light on its surface. The modest dam and nearby shed suggest a functional, perhaps agricultural, setting, inviting contemplation of everyday scenery rather than dramatic spectacle.
Technique & Style
Executed in black aquatint on chine collé, the print employs a grainy, sketch‑like texture. Loose, expressive brushwork creates soft edges and faint ripples, lending the image a dreamlike atmosphere while retaining the precise tonal range characteristic of the aquatint process.
History & Provenance
Created in 1891, the work belongs to Smill’s later period, when he explored printmaking alongside his more familiar watercolours. The piece has remained within private collections, with no record of exhibition beyond occasional nineteenth‑century print shows.
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Artist & collection
Artist
James David Smillie was an American artist, cofounder of the American Watercolor Society and New York Etching Club. His brother was painter George Henry Smillie.
