Lake Memphremagog

Description

This watercolor reveals the technical virtuosity of Harry Fenn, an illustrator famed for his rich handling of detail and his bizarre sense of fantasy. As a young man, Fenn sketched widely in the United States for a lavish two-volume set titled Picturesque America. After 1881, he devoted himself to watercolor painting and illustrating. This watercolor represents Lake Memphremagog, which extends across the border of America and Canada, from North Vermont into South Quebec.

Provenance

with Knoedler Galleries, New York (before 1972); with Jules Brassner, New York (1972); Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin, Shaker Heights, OH (1972-1976); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1976-)

Lake Memphremagog

Harry Fenn

c. 1880s

Accession Number

1976.115

Medium

watercolor and gouache over graphite

Dimensions

Sheet: 34.3 x 47.4 cm (13 1/2 x 18 11/16 in.)

Classification

Drawing

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Noah L. Butkin