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D2006-CMD-1436
Boone's Knoll on the Kentucky River at Camp Nelson
D2006-CMD-1436

Boone's Knoll on the Kentucky River at Camp Nelson

Date1804-1808
Attributed to George Beck (1749 - 1812)
OriginAmerica, Kentucky
MediumOil on laid paper
DimensionsUnframed: 16 3/4 x 23 1/4in. (42.5 x 59.1cm) and Framed: 20 7/8 x 26 3/4 x 2in.
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1968-502
DescriptionA barren, pyramidally-shaped, outcropping of rock dominates this landscape composition and is situated slightly right of center in the middle ground. A river runs diagonally through the work from lower right to mid-left, while a road cuts diagonally across the lower left corner. Small figures of people and cattle appear in the composition, and a house with extensive fencing is shown at far right.
The 2 1/4-inch cyma recta gilded frame may be original, although it is slightly oversized. Egg and dart ornament borders the sight edge, while beading appears inside the quarter-round outer edge.
Label TextEnglish-born George Beck was the first painter to work exclusively as a landscapist in America and, also, one of the earliest to cross the Allegheny Mountains. His westward move was undertaken not merely as an itinerant painter but as a permanent settler. Beck immigrated to America in 1795, landed at Norfolk, Virginia, and moved to Philadelphia in 1798. In the spring of 1804, he made an extended painting trip along the western frontier, his stops including Lexington, Kentucky, where he settled permanently by 1807.

This scene and another by Beck showing part of the Kentucky River (CWF acc. no. 1968-501) were owned by succeeding generations descended from Major William S. Dallam (d. 1845) and his wife, Letitia Meredith Dallam (1790-1868). The Dallans are believed to have acquired the paintings, possibly directly from the artist, shortly after their 1808 marriage. The couple resided at "Winton" near Lexington, Kentucky, an estate inherited by Mrs. Dallam from her father, Major Samuel Meredith, who also was the house's builder. Colonial Williamsburg's two Beck paintings hung at "Winton" for nearly the entire length of their private ownership.

InscribedTwo script inscriptions on the reverse of the upper strainer are largely illegible. The first, described in conservator Cleo Mullins's 15 February 1995 treatment proposal as "not original," is in pencil. Mullins transcribed this as "Mouth Wi_n_om on K. River/by Beck." [The present examiner thinks the "Wi_n_om" word might be "Hickman"].

The second, described in Mullins's same treatment proposal as "possibly original," is in ink. Mullins transcribed this as "Mouth of Hickman on the K . . . ."
ProvenanceAcc. nos. 1968-501 and 1968-502 are believed to have been acquired from the artist by Major William S. Dallam (d. 1845) and his wife, Letitia Meredith Dallam (1790-1868), shortly after the Dallams' wedding in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1808. The two paintings (and two other Becks that are not owned by CWF) hung at "Winton," the Kentucky estate inherited by Mrs. Dallam from her father (the builder of "Winton"), Major Samuel Meredith, during most of their private ownership.
From the aforementioned Dallams to their oldest daughter, Mrs. Robert Peter (Frances Paca Dallam)(1815-1907) of "Winton";
to their son, Hugh Peter (1854-1938) of "Winton";
to his daughter, Mrs. Howard Evans (Catherine Seaton Peter)(1895-1964) of "Winton";
to her husband, Howard Evans of "Winton" and, later, Lexington, Kentucky;
purchased from Howard Evans by CWF 10 June 1968
[Source = memo of 2 October 1968 from Milo M. Naeve to the object file]

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