Artwork
The Raffle (Raffling for the Goose)
The Raffle (Raffling for the Goose) is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist William Sidney Mount. It dates from 1837 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The Raffle (Raffling for the Goose) is painted in oil on a mahogany panel, a support noted in the artist’s record.
The Raffle (Raffling for the Goose) is painted in oil on a mahogany panel, a support noted in the artist’s record. The canvas measures roughly 43.2 cm in height by 58.7 cm in width, as documented in the Metropolitan Museum of Art catalogue. Executed in 1837, the work belongs to the genre‑scene category and portrays a man participating in a domestic food‑related activity, characteristic of mid‑nineteenth‑century American realism.
History & Provenance
William Sidney Mount painted The Raffle (Raffling for the Goose) in 1837. The oil-on-mahogany panel, measuring 43.2 × 58.7 cm, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified under The American Wing. No further details regarding its commission, prior ownership chain, or acquisition history are provided in the available sources.
The painting is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, where it is inventoried as 43.2 × 58.7 cm oil on mahogany panel.
It was first recorded in 1837, the year of its execution. The work has not been loaned to public exhibitions since entering the museum’s collection.
Overview
William Sidney Mount's The Raffle (Raffling for the Goose), completed in 1837, is an oil on mahogany painting that offers a glimpse into 19th-century American daily life. Born in Setauket, New York, Mount was a notable American genre painter known for his detailed portrayals of rural scenes. This work exemplifies his artistic focus on depicting ordinary activities and social interactions, providing valuable insight into the cultural fabric of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The painting captures a group of men gathered around a table, intently observing a raffle, likely for the goose mentioned in the title. Each participant displays a unique reaction, from eager anticipation to quiet amusement, contributing to a dynamic and engaging narrative. This lively portrayal of a communal event illuminates the leisure activities and social customs prevalent in rural America during the 1830s, reflecting Mount's interest in everyday human experience.
Context
William Sidney Mount was a significant figure in American art, specializing in genre scenes that frequently depicted life on Long Island. His works served as a visual chronicle of an evolving nation, capturing the humor and character of its populace. The Raffle stands as an example of his dedication to portraying the ordinary, contributing to a broader artistic movement that aimed to define a unique American identity through its everyday experiences and rural environments.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Sidney Mount (November 26, 1807 – November 19, 1868) was a 19th-century American genre painter.
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En scene i værtshuset Brokkensbod
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En scene i værtshuset Brokkensbod
A Friendly Warning
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Soldaten in der Kantine