Eagle Mills

Date1845

Possibly by Thomas B. Wilson (possibly 1811-1877)

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsOverall: 35 7/8 x 40in. (91.1 x 101.6cm) Framed: 39 x 43 1/4 x 1 3/8in. (99.1 x 109.9 x 3.5cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1958.102.20

DescriptionLandscape scene painted from bird's eye view, with tromp l'oeil frame painted around the outside. Tromp l'oeil frame is as follows, from outside: painted black border, painted white border, with bunches of rich blue grapes and green leaves and vines painted surrounding the painting, white border and then black line next to painting. Viewer's eye view directly from center looks down a dirt road with wagon ruts in it, directly towards a double wooden covered bridge with buildings on either side of the road. In the lower right corner is a field with a high bank sloping down to dirt road, and two white oxen pulling a cart entering from the left. In the lower left corner there is another field surrounded by sturdy wooden plank fence. There is a fairly large two story building in field, on the far side of that is a road entering from the left, crossing the main road at right angles. On the left corner is a large imposing four story brick building, the Eagle Mill Flour Mill, with men loading flour onto a horse-drawn wagon, another wagon is going down the main road to the double covered bridge. On the far side of the bridge, either side of the main dirt road is flanked with small wooden houses, reds, yellow and white, the steeple of a church may be seen in the far distance. The countryside is rolling with a few small hills, fields, and fences. The sky has pinkish overtones with greyer clouds directly overhead.The colors have a pastel luminescence.
Label TextEagle Mill was known as Millville when it was painted. A New York state gazetteer for 1842 described the town as having "125 inhabitants, 1 tavern, 1 store, 1 flouring mill, 1 saw mill and 1 carriage manufactory." The imposing brick flour mill can be seen at left and the sawmill, which takes its power from the rushing Poestenkill Creek, is located at far right. The carriage shop and the tavern can also be discerned along the main street just beyond the double-barreled covered bridge fording the creek

The painting's intricate grapevine border suggests the work of a decorative painter. The use of this trailing vine laden with fruit may have been intended to symbolize the prosperity and abundance enjoyed by the residents of the village.

Little is known about Thomas Wilson, the supposed painter. He may have been the Thomas Wilson who was listed as a "Painter" and a "Carriage Painter" in various New York State directories between 1847 and 1876.
Markings"1845" appears in black paint in the lower right corner of the front of the canvas. Wording on signs on the mill building include "EAGLE MILL" (twice) and "FLOUR BY THE BARREL" (TWICE); The "L" and part of the "E" are missing from the end of "BARREL." Also see text regarding the artist's signature.
ProvenanceJ. Stuart Halladay and Herrell George Thomas, Sheffield, Mass. Halladay died in 1951, leaving his interest in their jointly-owned collection to his partner, Thomas. Thomas died in 1957, leaving his estate to his sister, Mrs. Albert N. Petterson, who was AARFAC's vendor.