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Tompkins Harrison Matteson"Playing with Grandfather" Tomkins Harrison Matteson, Family Genre Scene1869
1869
About the Item
Tomkins Harrison Matteson
Playing with Grandfather, 1869
Signed and dated lower left
Oil on canvas
29 5/16 x 24 3/16 inches
Provenance:
Sotheby's New York, May 24, 2001, Lot 150
Estate of a New Hampshire Collector
Tompkins H. Matteson was one of the most noted painters in upstate New York during the 1850s and was well-known for genre and historical subjects. Born in Peterboro, New York, he studied and exhibited at the National Academy of Design - established himself as a portrait painter in Sherburne, New York before moving in 1841 to New York City. In 1850, he returned to Shelburne, where he spent the remainder of his life.
A follower of William Sidney Mount, he blended rural genre and history painting, and his subjects included everyday historical, patriotic, and religious subjects. His subjects were taken from American history and rural life, and he is famous chiefly for his painting of The Spirit of '76.
An enthusiastic American Artist, his paintings are mostly of homely and historical scenes, harmonious in color and pleasing in effect. Unlike many artists of his time, he never studied in Paris, but this allowed his work to develop a distinct American flavor, uninfluenced by foreign idioms. His work has a sincerity much appreciated by the ordinary people of his time.
As a youth he learned art from an Native American who was incarcerated in his father's jail. Later the young Tompkins followed an itinerant silhouette-limner about the village and copied his instrument. He was so interested in Art that lack of money was no obstacle. He borrowed paints and made his own paint box
Soon he took to the life of a traveling Artist, drawing likenesses for a few pennies. He is described by an art historian of his time as "trudging wearily in the sun, faint and fasting by the wayside, sleeping in canal-boats" and reaching Albany at last, penniless and discouraged..." He joined a company of strolling players and appeared as Othello, but continued painting his now much sought after "morning pieces" of the girls in a village academy.
Finally a kind gentleman of means sent him to New York City to visit the crusty old dean of American Artists, Colonel John Trumbull, who first severely discouraged him, then later became an admiring advisor.
Soon Matteson began the strict training program in drawing offered at the National Academy of Design. He opened a portrait studio and with moderate success decided to marry Elizabeth Merrill.
He was befriended by the Reverend Dr. Hale of Hobart College, who encouraged him to branch out into patriotic pieces, which finally brought him financial success. An admiring fellow artist convinced the American Art Union to buy his Spirit of 76 and his First Prayer in Congress. These were auctioned off bringing much fame to Matteson.
His reputation grew and soon he had several students, who would become famous in their own right. He continued with other paintings including many scenes for a pictorial newspaper showing Americans celebrating Christmas and Fourth of July. These are now considered valuable records of the life of people in the 1840's and 1850's.
Today we expect Artists to be a little eccentric. Matteson was somewhat, but in a more patriotic way. He wore an unusual steeple-crowned hat and short mantle because of his admiration of the Pilgrims. He liked to be called the Pilgrim-Painter. His later years were full of public service: President of the School Board, Representative to the State Legislature among other activities. He died a well-respected, much loved citizen.
Among his works include Washington Crossing the Delaware, Pilgrim Fathers On the Deck of the Mayflower, Justice's Court, Foddering Cattle at the Stile, Signing the Contract on Board the Mayflower, Captain Glen Claiming the Prisoners after the Burning of Schenectady, The First Sabbath of the Pilgrims, Examination of a Witch, Washington Delivering his Inaugural Address (often seen in history textbooks).
- Creator:Tompkins Harrison Matteson (1813 - 1884, American)
- Creation Year:1869
- Dimensions:Height: 35 in (88.9 cm)Width: 30 in (76.2 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1841212148202
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