The Pride of the Village
This picture, based on Washington Irving’s sentimental story of the same name, concerns a beautiful and simple country lass, indeed the pride of the village, who fell in love with an army officer. When he was transferred to another post and asked that she accompany him, her virtuous mind was so stricken by this indecorous suggestion that she pined away, surrounded by her devoted family. Here we see her in her decline, possibly “thinking of her faithless lover?—or were her thoughts wandering to that distant churchyard, into whose bosom she might soon be gathered?”
Artwork Details
- Title: The Pride of the Village
- Artist: Henry Peters Gray (American, New York 1819–1877 New York)
- Date: 1858–59
- Culture: American
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Dimensions: 30 1/4 x 25 1/4 in. (76.8 x 64.1 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of William Church Osborn, 1949
- Object Number: 49.166
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Henry Peters Gray
1846
Henry Peters Gray
1848
Cecilia Beaux
1894
Albert Bierstadt
1863
George Caleb Bingham
1845
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.