Middletown State of Connecticut
ArtistPossibly attributed to
Martha Russell
English, 1766 - 1807
ArtistPossibly attributed to
Mary Russell
English, 1768 - 1839
Date1799-1801
MediumWatercolor and gouache on wove paper
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 11 3/4 x 17 1/2in. (29.8 x 44.5cm)
Sheet (sheet height x width): 14 7/8 x 21 1/8in. (37.8 x 53.7cm)
Other (mat height x width): 15 3/4 x 22in. (40 x 55.9cm)
Sheet (sheet height x width): 14 7/8 x 21 1/8in. (37.8 x 53.7cm)
Other (mat height x width): 15 3/4 x 22in. (40 x 55.9cm)
ClassificationsGraphics
Credit LineGift of Dr. William J. Russell, F.R.S.
DescriptionHouses and other buildings are located on a hill sloping up from what appears to be a cove on a river. A church with a steeple is at the left; a cemetery and a large building that appears to be a warehouse are at the far right. Sailing vessles are at docks along the waterfront. Two people are in a rowboat; a small ship under sail is approaching from the right. In the foreground, cows are in a pasture surrounded by a rail fence. There are many leafy trees and one partially dead tree in the right foreground.
Object number1889.5.0
InscribedOn recto, lower center, in pencil, "Middletown State of Connecticut".; lower left, in brown ink, "Middletown Conn. between 1799 & 1801 / Painted by Miss M. Russell / daughter of William Russell / the friend of Dr. Priestley Presented by her nephew W. J. Russell F.R.S. / June 1889."On verso, upper left, in pencil, "H. Carrington Bolton / University Club / New York City"; lower right, in pencil, "1889-5-0" "Neg #1975"
NotesSubject Note: "Dr. Priestley," whose name appears in an inscription on the recto of the drawing is Joseph Priestley (1733-1804). Priestley was a prominent British theologian, clergyman, chemist, and philosopher, who is usually credited with the discovery of oxygen. Priestly spent the last ten years of his life in the United States.
William Russell (1740-1818) was a close friend and sponsor of Priestley, who emigrated to America at the same time. Russell and his family settled in Philadelphia in 1794 and returned to England in 1801. Russell had five children: Martha, Mary, Frances, Thomas Pougher, and Jane. It is not clear whether Martha or Mary Russell drew this view of Middletown.
"W. J. Russell" is William James Russell (1830-1909), the son of Thomas Pougher Russell. He was a chemist and professor of chemistry.
H. Carrington Bolton (1843-1903), whose name appears in an inscription on the verso of the drawing, was a chemist, bibliographer, and author, as well as a prominent member of the University Club in New York. (Finlay 12/6/2013)
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