In the Park

Artist Luther Emerson Van Gorder (American, 1861–1931)

Datebefore 1894

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 20.3 × 25.4 cm (8 × 10 in.)
framed: 38.7 × 43.8 × 10.2 cm (15 1/4 × 17 1/4 × 4 in.)

ClassificationsPaintings

Credit LineGift from the Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Tattersall through Mrs. L. William Welch

Terms

Object number1969.61

Label TextVan Gorder, of a later generation than the Barbizon artists, spent his early years studying in New York at the Chase School of Art, established by the painter William Merritt Chase. During his time in the city, he pursued his interest in landscape painting as evidenced by this depiction of Bethesda Terrace in Central Park. The carved terrace motifs, designed by Jacob Wrey Mould, may have influenced Van Gorder in his choice of location as they depict birds, game, flowers, bees and seasonal landscape scenes. In the Park invites us to watch, or perhaps join, several finely dressed women in their enjoyment of plantings and each other. Van Gorder painted with delicate colors, giving the picture an air of restraint that implies the social proprieties in the park as well. After his initial time in New York, Van Gorder traveled to study at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in France learning from the Impressionists. Rather than focusing on rural landscapes, he was inspired by the colorful gardens of Paris.ProvenanceWilliam MacBech, New York (1899); Mr. Edward A. Tattersall (acquisition method unknown, no known dates); Estate of Mr. and Mrs. Edward A. Tattersall, Worcester MA through Mrs. L. William Welch, Worcester MA

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