ABOUT THE PAINTING

Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (1819-1905) was an American painter who specialized in realistic paintings of wildlife and nature. Tait moved to the United States from England in 1850, establishing himself in New York City, where he spent most of his career. Tait found inspiration in the landscapes of New York’s wilderness, specifically in the Adirondack region. Tait’s work mostly consists of depicting visuals of camping, hunting, fishing, and the interactions of those engaging in outdoor activities.

This specific image was originally painted by A.F. Tait in 1862 and then reproduced as a hand-colored lithograph by Currier and Ives a year later. Lithography was a popular form of creating prints in the nineteenth century, allowing artwork to be purchased for a reasonable price. The original of this print is an oil on canvas located at the Adirondack Experience: The Museum at Blue Mountain Lake. During this time, wildlife art was gaining more popularity. Artworks such as these attracted people to engage in more leisure activities and drew people to more outdoor adventures. The main components of the image are four men joined by two dogs crowded around a campsite and fire. In this work Tait’s detail is realistic; one can see every object and know its purpose. The print shows different details of relaxation and leisure, such as cooking, storytelling, smoking, drinking, and sleeping. The campfire in the center first draws the attention of the viewer. Camping in the Woods: A Good Time Coming shows an ideal sense of togetherness and harmony between wilderness and humans while also depicting the celebration of outdoor activities. -Sid Pols

 

Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (after)
Camping in the Woods: A Good Time Coming
Hand-colored lithograph printed by Currier and Ives in 1863 after the 1862 original oil painting
SLU 99.3
Richard F. Brush Art Gallery
St. Lawrence University
Canton, NY