New York Harbor with Pilot Boat "George Washington"

mid 19th century

Thomas Chambers

Associated Names
Thomas Chambers

Artist, American, 1808 - 1866 or after

The image shows a maritime scene with multiple sailing ships at sea. The perspective is from slightly above water level, showing the sea, sky, and land meeting at the horizon. The closest ship has billowing sails, giving a sense of motion. The brushstrokes are deliberate and smooth, defining the sails and water. Light and shadow create a warm, colorful sky with pastel hues blending into blues and grays. An American flag flies from a fortification on the right-hand side. Other ships can be seen in the distance, adding depth to the scene. The flag's colors contrast with the background.

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Recorded as from Massachusetts. (Kenneth E. Snow, Newburyport, Massachusetts), by whom sold in 1953 to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch; gift to NGA, 1978.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

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 Secretary Robert Mosbacher, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 1989-1993.

1993

  • Extended loan for use by Secretary Ron Brown, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 1993-1997.

1995

  • Extended loan for use by Secretary William M. Daley, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 1995-1997.

2000

  • Extended loan for use by Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Department of of Commerce, 2000-2001.

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.

Bibliography

1980

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1980: 128, repro.

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: 56-57, color repro. 57.

  • American Paintings: An Illustrated Catalogue. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1992: 138, repro.

2008

  • Foster, Kathleen A. Thomas Chambers: American Marine and Landscape Painter, 1808-1869. Exh. cat. Philadelphia Museum of Art; The Hyde Collection Art Museum, Glen Falls; American Folk Art Museum, New York; Indiana University Art Museum, Bloomington. Philadelphia, 2008: 28, 125 n. 27.

Inscriptions

on pennant: 2; on sail: 2

Wikidata ID

Q20185223

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