Provenance
(Vose Galleries, Boston); William H. Claflin III, Belmont, Massachusetts; by inheritance to his wife, Mrs. William H. Claflin III; private collection;[1] purchased 7 June 1999 through (Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc., New York) by NGA.
[1] The provenance is from information supplied by the dealer. The title used in their records is _Winter Barn_.
Accession Number
1999.42.1
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
overall: 66.7 x 92.1 cm (26 1/4 x 36 1/4 in.) | framed: 94.6 x 120.3 x 8.3 cm (37 1/4 x 47 3/8 x 3 1/4 in.)
Classification
Painting
Credit Line
Avalon Fund
Tags
Painting Impressionist & Modern (1851–1900) Oil Painting Canvas American
Background & Context
Background Story
George Henry Durrie (1820-1863) was an American painter known for the winter landscape paintings of rural New England that make him one of the most popular American landscape painters of the 19th century, largely through Currier and Ives lithographic reproductions of his work. Winter in the Country from c. 1859 depicts a rural New England winter scene in the narrative, atmospheric manner that distinguishes Durrie's best work from the more grandiose landscape painting of the Hudson River School. The c. 1859 date places this in Durrie's most productive period, when he was producing the winter landscapes that would become some of the most popular American images through Currier and Ives reproductions.
Cultural Impact
Winter in the Country is important in the history of American painting because it demonstrates the narrative, atmospheric manner that Durrie brought to rural New England winter landscapes as one of the most popular American landscape painters of the 19th century. Durrie's winter landscapes—combining atmospheric effect with the narrative detail of rural New England life—became some of the most popular American images through Currier and Ives reproductions, and the c. 1859 painting shows the original that would be reproduced as one of the most iconic American winter scenes.
Why It Matters
Winter in the Country is Durrie's popular New England winter: a rural scene rendered in the narrative, atmospheric manner that would become one of the most popular American images through Currier and Ives reproductions. The c. 1859 painting shows the original behind some of the most iconic American winter landscapes ever reproduced.
