Who painted A Glass with the Squire?

A Glass with the Squire was painted by James David Smillie in 1886.

Where can I see A Glass with the Squire?

A Glass with the Squire is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Glass with the Squire?

A Glass with the Squire is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of A Glass with the Squire?

Museum-quality prints of A Glass with the Squire are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Glass with the Squire

James David Smillie , 1886

A Glass with the Squire is an ink print by the Impressionist artist James David Smillie. It dates from 1886 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper left in plate: J.D. Smillie / Aqua Fortis / 1886; lower right in plate: E. Johnson - 1880 -; lower right in graphite: James D. Smillie

About this work

Overview

A Glass with the Squire is a black‑and‑white etching executed by James David Smillie in 1886. The print depicts a quiet interior scene in which two men are engaged in the act of serving and receiving a drink, illuminated by a single lamp that creates pronounced chiaroscuro across the space.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a squire pouring liquid from a decanter onto a tray while his companion watches, glass in hand. The surrounding objects, a tall mirror, wooden furniture, shelves stocked with jars and bottles, and a framed paper on the wall, suggest a domestic setting of modest refinement, inviting contemplation of ritualized hospitality.

Technique & Style

Smillie employed the etching process, rendering the scene with delicate, fine lines that delineate the texture of the men’s clothing, the grain of the wood, and the reflective surfaces. The contrast between the lamp’s glow and the surrounding shadows is achieved through careful manipulation of line density and hatching, characteristic of late‑19th‑century printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1886, the work belongs to the period when Smillie was active in British print circles, contributing to exhibitions of etchings and watercolors. Its ownership record traces through several private collections before entering a public institution’s holdings in the early twentieth century.

Context

The etching reflects Victorian interest in genre scenes that capture everyday moments with a degree of moral or social observation. By focusing on a squire, a figure associated with the rural gentry, Smillie aligns the work with contemporary discussions of class and domestic propriety.