Artwork
Leverett Pond
Leverett Pond is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Erastus Salisbury Field. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
History & Provenance
The Garbschs retained ownership until 1978, at which point they donated the piece to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.
Erastus Salisbury Field completed the oil painting Leverett Pond in 1860. Following its creation, the work remained within the artist's family lineage, eventually passing to Mrs. Adin Field of North Amherst, Massachusetts. In 1942, her cousin, Mrs. Victor H. (Eleanor) Wesson, acquired the canvas.
The painting was subsequently purchased in 1949 by Robert Schuyler Tomkins of Sheffield, Massachusetts, who soon sold it to the prominent collectors Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch. The Garbschs retained ownership until 1978, at which point they donated the piece to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
The painting Leverett Pond by Erastus Salisbury Field is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Its provenance traces from the artist's family to Mrs. Adin Field of North Amherst, Massachusetts, before passing to her cousin, Mrs. Victor H. (Eleanor) Wesson. The work was acquired by Mrs. Wesson in 1942 and subsequently sold in 1949 to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch. It entered the national collection as a gift from the Garbisches in 1978.
The provided sources do not list specific inventory or accession numbers, nor do they record any exhibition history for the work.
Context
Erastus Salisbury Field painted Leverett Pond in 1860, an oil on canvas landscape that depicts a solitary tree. The composition remained in the artist’s family, passing to Mrs. Adin Field in North Amherst, Massachusetts, then to Mrs. Victor H. (Eleanor) Wesson, and was sold in 1949 to Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch before being gifted to the National Gallery of Art in 1978. The painting is catalogued in the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C., where it is recorded with dimensions of 55.8 cm by 69.1 cm. Its provenance and acquisition illustrate a typical trajectory for 19th‑century American landscape works entering a major museum’s holdings.
Overview
Erastus Salisbury Field's Leverett Pond, an oil on canvas from approximately 1870, presents a serene landscape. The painting captures a tranquil body of water encircled by slender, upright trees under a soft, pale blue sky. A few fallen leaves gently rest on the pond's still surface, contributing to the overall sense of quietude. This work exemplifies Field's approach to depicting the natural environment near his home.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses on a placid pond, reflecting the surrounding tall, narrow trees with remarkable clarity. Field's rendering of the foliage appears almost idealized, suggesting a carefully composed scene rather than a spontaneous observation. The stillness of the water and the muted sky evoke a moment suspended in time, inviting contemplation of the natural world. This deliberate portrayal contributes to the painting's calm and introspective character.
Technique & Style
Field, largely self-taught, developed his artistic practice by studying and replicating existing prints, rather than formal academic training. This background informed his precise, almost meticulous style, evident in the distinct forms of the trees. He frequently depicted local Massachusetts scenery, imbuing his landscapes with a sense of intimate familiarity. The painting's serene aesthetic aligns with a broader appreciation for tranquil natural views during the period.
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Artist & collection
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