Boston Harbor

mid 19th century

Thomas Chambers

Associated Names
Thomas Chambers
Artist, American, 1808 - 1866 or after
The artwork depicts a scene of Boston Harbor with a maritime setting. Closest to us, a large ship is partially visible on the left, its sails lowered, and an American flag waves in the breeze. Beyond, several smaller sailboats navigate the choppy, greenish-blue waters, their sails catching the wind. In the distance, another ship sails towards the right, its sails fully unfurled and flags flying. The horizon is placed low in the composition, where a hill with a small building is visible under a softly colored sky. The sky is filled with dynamic, sweeping clouds and a gradient of pink and orange hues. The brushstrokes are smooth and detailed, capturing the movement of the water and the texture of the clouds. The overall color palette combines cool and warm tones, creating a visual contrast.

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Recorded as from New York. (Harry Stone Gallery, New York, 1942). (Albert Duveen, New York), by whom sold in 1948 to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch; by bequest to NGA, 1980.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1954

  • American Primitive Paintings from the Collection of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch, Part I, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1954, no. 71.

1968

  • American Naive Paintings of the 18th and 19th Centuries: 111 Masterpieces from the Collection of E.W. and B.C. Garbisch, traveling exhibition by Amer. Fed. of Arts, New York, 1968-1970, no. 75. First venue: Grand Palais, Paris.

1982

  • Extended Loan to the White House for use by President George W. Bush, 2001-2003.

1985

  • Extended loan for use by Secretary George P. Shultz, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C., 1985-1989.

1989

  • Extended loan for use by Carla Hills, U.S. Trade Representative, Washington, D.C., 1989-1993.

1993

  • Extended loan for use by Michael Kantor, U.S. Trade Representative, Washington, D.C., 1993-

2001

  • Extended loan for use by Chief of Staff Andrew Card, White House, Washington, D.C., 2001-2006.

2006

  • Extended loan for use by Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten, White House, Washington, D.C., 2006-2008.

2008

  • Thomas Chambers, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia; The Hyde Collection Art Museum, Glens Falls; American Folk Art Museum, New York; Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington, 2008-2010, unnumbered catalogue, fig. 2-8.

Bibliography

1992

  • Chotner, Deborah, with contributions by Julie Aronson, Sarah D. Cash, and Laurie Weitzenkorn. American Naive Paintings. The Collections of the National Gallery of Art Systematic Catalogue. Washington, D.C., 1992: 49, repro. 48.

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 137, repro.

Wikidata ID

Q20184993

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