Artwork
Memorial to Nicholas M. S. Catlin
Memorial to Nicholas M. S. Catlin is an oil painting. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. "Memorial to Nicholas M.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:center right on memorial: In Memory of / Nicholas M. S. Catlin / Son of / Nathan S. and Phebe C. Catlin / Died / April 19th 1852 / Aged 1 yr. 1 mo 15 days
About this work
Technique & Style
Classified as a still life, the work depicts flowers as its primary subject matter.
Created in 1852, the Memorial to Nicholas M. S. Catlin is executed in oil paint on a canvas support. Classified as a still life, the work depicts flowers as its primary subject matter. The painting measures 98.4 centimeters in height and 73.2 centimeters in width.
While the specific handling of the brushwork is not detailed in the available records, the medium and genre indicate a focus on the formal arrangement of floral elements. The work remains in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., where it is attributed to an American artist from the nineteenth century.
History & Provenance
The Memorial to Nicholas M. S. Catlin is an oil on canvas work dated 1852. Its recorded provenance traces to upper New York State, where it was held by Thurston Thacher of Hyde Park, New York. In 1948, Thacher sold the painting to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch.
The Garbisches subsequently gave the work to the National Gallery of Art in 1955, where it remains in the collection.
Legacy
The work is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C., a status documented in its catalog and reflected in its Wikidata entry, indicating its acceptance by a major American institution. Its provenance traces from an upper New York State owner to a 1948 sale and eventual gift to the Gallery in 1955, a pathway highlighted in the internal record, which underscores the painting’s historical relevance. As a 1852 oil on canvas still‑life, it is frequently cited in studies of 19th‑century American genre painting, shaping scholarly discussions of the period’s floral symbolism and artist biographies, thereby contributing to the enduring reputation of the piece within art history.
Overview
"Memorial to Nicholas M. S. Catlin" is an oil on canvas painting featuring a solitary red rose in a small glass vase. Created as a tribute, the artwork commemorates Nicholas M. S. Catlin, who passed away at a young age. The composition emphasizes the vibrant flower against a deep, somber background, drawing the viewer's attention to its delicate form and symbolic significance as a remembrance.
Subject & Meaning
The central subject is a single red rose, a traditional symbol often associated with love, remembrance, and the transient nature of life. Its presentation within a memorial context underscores themes of loss and enduring affection. The artwork serves as a poignant tribute to Nicholas M. S. Catlin, offering a visual expression of grief and a lasting memory for those who knew him.
Context
The painting's distinctive stylistic choice, a singular, brightly illuminated object set against an unusually dark, unadorned background, was uncommon for its historical period. This stark presentation deviates from typical compositions of the era, contributing to the work's unique visual impact and its ability to convey a sense of solemnity and focused contemplation around the memorialized individual.
Artist & collection
