Bathing Place, St. Valery
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Martha F. Butler
Accession Number
1991.56.38
Tags
Art Historical Context
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg’s 1862 drawing *Bathing Place, St. Valery* invites viewers into a tranquil scene of leisure at Saintery-sur-Somme, France. The work depicts figures enjoying the waters near a distinctive tower and flag, capturing the everyday recreation that drew visitors to this coastal town in the mid-nineteenth century. As a drawing, the piece highlights Kellogg’s ability to suggest light, movement, and atmosphere with economical lines and subtle tonal effects. Created during a period when American artists frequently traveled abroad, the drawing reflects the growing fascination with...