Gipseying Party

Art Historical Context

**Gipseying Party**, an enchanting engraving created around 1830 by American artist Asher Brown Durand after a composition by British genre painter Charles Leslie, captures the joy of a lively outdoor gathering. Printed on chine collé—a delicate technique bonding thin Chinese paper to a sturdy support for finer detail and subtle tones—this second-state impression measures a modest 5 15/16 x 7 15/16 inches. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints, it was generously gifted by Mrs. Frederic F. Durand in1930, honoring the artist's legacy. The scene buzzes with boys, girls, men, and women reveling at a "gipseying" party—a 19th-century term for a carefree picnic or gypsy-inspired outing amid nature. Leslie's genre style, infused with Romantic warmth, celebrates everyday leisure, while Durand's masterful engraving translates it into intricate lines and textures, making high art accessible through affordable prints. Popular in the early 19th century, such works reflected a growing fascination with pastoral escapes from urban life. This print exemplifies the era's printmaking prowess, bridging British narrative charm and American precision. Its two states hint at refinements for perfection, inviting viewers to savor a timeless slice of social delight.

About the Artist

Asher Brown Durand|Charles Robert Leslie · 1796–1886

Was a principal member of the Hudson River School. American artist; associated with the Hudson River School of landscape painting. Comment on works: Portraits