Birthplace of George Washington

Dateca. 1845

Attributed to Thomas Chambers (1808-1869)

OriginAmerica, Massachusetts or New York (probably)

MediumOil on canvas

DimensionsUnframed: 21 1/4" x 30 1/4" (54.0 cm. x 76.8 cm.) Framed: 24 7/8" x 34".

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1957.102.5

DescriptionView across river of small cottage with out buildings and smoke coming out of the chimneys. In foreground in river bank with stone on it and inscription on stone. Trees are visible on either side and in immediate foreground there are long roots and vines with leaves on them. These roots have highlights of white paint. The land on the far bank casts a shadow into the water turning the water green, and the sunlight leaves the rest of the water almost white in color. On the far bank with the house are several large oak trees which cast shadows. In the middle of the river are two figures which look like Indians rowing a boat. The river opens up and goes around the bend to the right and numerous sailboats are visible.The clouds are blue and pink and one can see the sun (moon) in the sky.
The 2 1/4-inch gilded cyma recta frame is a period replacement.
Label TextThe pink tints in the sky and clouds suggests that the sun is low, although the silvery shimmer of the water and cold blue and white highlights on the foreground foliage are more suggestive of moonlight. The vines in the foreground strike a rather eerie, macabre note that jars with much of the mood of the rest of the picture. Their creeping configuration and dull, autumnal colors suggest death and decay, whereas many other aspects of the painting convey serenity and peace, if not cheer: the stillness of the air and water, the quiet depths of the middleground forest, the smoke that rises lazily from the cottage chimneys, and the warm tones of the distant sky.
The house where George Washington was born was destroyed by fire in the eighteenth century; a reconstructed mansion was erected on the site on Pope's Creek in Westmoreland County, Virginia, in 1930-1931.Chambers painted at least three other very similar versions of the same scene, and other examples of the subject by other artists are noted in the Folk Art Center's files. Those recorded all appear to have been inspired by or very losely based on one or more engravings after an 1834 oil painting by John Gadsby Chapman (1808-1889).
InscribedPainted on the stone in the center foreground is "Birthplace/G. Washington."
ProvenanceOld Print Shop