John La Farge (New York, 1835 - 1910, Providence)
The Old Barn Under Snow, Newport, about 1860
Oil on panel, 31 x 23 cm (12 3/16 x 9 1/16 in.)
This oil painting depicts the roof of a barn against a winter sky. The sky fills up about two-thirds of the canvas, and is predominately white with areas of blue closer to the horizon. Brush strokes are visible, with an upward slant to the viewer’s left, creating a sense of movement. A small band of ocean is visible at the horizon. What appears to be rocks or a stone wall is seen in the lower area to the viewer’s left, with a patch of snow in front of it. One side of the barn’s gable roof is seen in the foreground. Patches of melted snow are scattered across the roof, with a larger snow patch where the side levels off. The top of the barn’s front entrance is seen between the triangular shape of the roof sides.
Blue Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.