Monday, March 30, 2009

The Battle of Princeton

Don't worry, I'm not going to give you a long history lesson, but these 2 paintings were done at a location steeped in Revolutionary War history.

"John Updike's Farmstead"
5x7 oil on panel

The Updike Farm only goes back to 1890, but is along the route followed by Continental troops on their way to engage British soldiers at the neighboring Thomas Clarke farm about a mile away. Now, much of this land belongs to the Institute for Advanced Study, where Albert Einstein did a lot of thinking.

"Thomas Clarke's Barn"
5x7 oil on panel

The Thomas Clarke House was built in 1772 by Quaker Thomas Clarke on his then 200-acre farm. On January 3, 1777, the Battle of Princeton was fought here, and the Clarke House served as a field hospital for the wounded of both sides. American General Hugh Mercer died here nine days later. The site is now Princeton Battlefield State Park.

I have no idea if this barn was here in 1777, but it gave me an excuse to brush up on some history. (The Clarke House would be just beyond the right edge of this painting. I'm sure I'll get around to painting the main house someday soon).

5 comments:

  1. Great stuff Joe! I love painting at historical places too. Check out Allaire State Park some time. There is plenty to paint there!

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  2. very nice. the paintings are simplistic in nature and its simplicity is what makes it original. great post.

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  3. Thanks, Estevan.
    Thanks, Pete, I've been to Allaire but never to paint - I'll have to do something about that this summer!

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  4. I love your work. I've recently taken on the challenge of landscape painting and am enjoying it very much. I look forward to the day when I'm as good as you!

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  5. Thanks, Maria, very kind of you! I checked out your blog and I think you're doing well. I'll have to give colored pencils a try someday.

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