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Landscape with Lake, Tents, and Figures
No image number on slide

Landscape with Lake, Tents, and Figures

DateAugust 1870, or possibly 1876.
OriginAmerica, Michigan, Battle Creek
MediumOil on canvas
DimensionsUnframed: 15 1/8" x 20 1/4" and Framed: 18 1/8" x 23 1/16"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1958.102.8
DescriptionView of a campground situated on the banks of a lake beneath towering, darkly- hued trees. A fence emerges from the lower left corner and extends straight into the water, as if marking a boundary for the campground, and a canoe rests in the water just off the center shore line. A male figure carrying a bucket appears to have walked inland from where the canoe rests along the shore. People are milling in and around the three white tents--each with a different design--in the lower right corner. Central in foreground, a campfire burns, and its smoke appears to curve upwards and to the left. A man sits on a tree stump just outside of the leftmost tent; he faces away from the tents as he holds a pipe, and a dog sits in front of him.
Possibly original 2-inch gilded cyma recta frame.Label TextThe lower left inscription on the front of the canvas is supplemented by wording on the original stretcher that reads "commenced Feb. 6th. . .Anna S. Hart/Battle Creek, Mich." However, to date, no other works by this artist have been recorded, nor is any additional biographical information known.

The somber, dark-hued, towering trees and the sprightly scene below them create vivid contrasts of mood. Note the three different types of tents, the black figure apparently dancing, the woman at right bearing a bough of greens, and the man seated on a stump with a pipe in his hand. The nature of this informal gathering remains unknown.Mark(s)In paint in script at lower left is "A.S. Hart/Aug. 1870" (or possibly "1876"). In the center of the top strainer is "Commenced Feb. 6th [illegible material] Anna S. Hart/ Battle Creek, Mich."ProvenanceJ. Stuart Halladay and Herrell George Thomas, Sheffield, Mass. Halladay died in 1951, leaving his interest in their jointly-owned collection to his partner, Thomas. Thomas died in 1957, leaving his estate to his sister, Mrs. Albert N. Petterson, who was AARFAC's vendor. Ownership prior to Halladay-Thomas unknown.