Mourning Picture, New England School, Massachusetts, Circa 1820

Details

Description

Mourning pictures rose in prominence in America during the late 18th century. These compositions were typically created by pupils in … Read more Mourning pictures rose in prominence in America during the late 18th century. These compositions were typically created by pupils in women’s academies who gifted them to acquaintances in mourning or painted them in honor of a lost loved one. This composition was created in remembrance of Mrs. Desire Cushing, wife of Timothy Cushing, who died at the age of 79. Our research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Library yielded interesting insight into Mrs. Desire Cushing’s life. She raised a family of 11 children and lived much of her life in Cohasset, MA. Timothy Cushing, her husband, made a living as a carpenter and farmer, and one can imagine Mrs. Cushings’ days were filled with homesteading tasks and all the complexities that come with raising children. We were drawn to this particular piece because of its intriguing subject matter and balanced composition. The large, graphic willow tree and stately home are expertly juxtaposed with the soft rolling hills and windswept grasses that animate the foreground. Together, these elements work in concert to create a whimsical mourning picture.

PROVENANCE:
The Siegmund Collection of American Folk Art.
Nathan Liverant & Son, Colchester, Connecticut, July 1987. See less