New Hampshire Lake--Raymond

Art Historical Context

**New Hampshire Lake—Raymond** (1927) by Charles W. Hawthorne invites visitors to bask in the tranquil beauty of a New Hampshire lakeside scene. This oil painting, now housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, was a generous gift from Joseph and Hazel R. Hawthorne, likely family members honoring the artist's legacy. Capturing the essence of Raymond—a picturesque town dotted with serene lakes—the work reflects early 20th-century American artists' fascination with the nation's natural landscapes, evoking a sense of peaceful escape amid the Roaring Twenties' urban bustle. Hawthorne, a leading figure in American Impressionism, was renowned for his Provincetown Art Colony ties and founding of the Cape Cod School of Art. His style emphasized loose brushwork, vibrant color, and the play of light—techniques likely employed here to shimmer across the water and foliage. Trained under William Merritt Chase, Hawthorne often painted en plein air, prioritizing atmosphere over precise detail, which brings this lakescape vividly to life. As part of the Smithsonian's collection, this piece underscores the enduring appeal of regional American scenes, bridging Impressionist influences with a distinctly Yankee sensibility. Pause before it to imagine Hawthorne sketching by the shore, connecting us to a simpler era of lakeside reverie.