Vergennes (Vermont) July 23rd, 1857

John Kensett was an accomplished draftsman who routinely took topographical drawings of landscapes during his extensive travels. As a leading member of the second generation of the so-called "Hudson River school" Kensett began his career as an engraver and later took up landscape painting by mid-century. He was influenced by the late Thomas Cole, as well as by Asher B. Durand, but advanced his style during the 1850’s, creating more luminous, paired down renditions of the landscape in a sweeping panoramic mode. As a leading member of the New York art world, Kensett was a founding trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1870. Following his death in 1872, the contents of Kensett’s studio, dubbed "The Last Summer’s Work" was given to the Met by his brother Thomas, and a memorial exhibition of Kensett’s work was held at The Met.




This panoramic drawing with white highlights of the village of Vergennes, Vermont, is a fine example of Kensett’s draftsmanship.