Views of Home

“I think to christen my place by the name of Peace field, in commemoration of the peace which I assisted in making in 1783, of the thirteen years peace and neutrality which I have contributed to preserve and of the constant peace and tranquility which I have enjoyed in this residence.” John Adams, 1796

Artworks that depict homes provide an enchanting visual record. They record details of architecture and craftsmanship. Paintings and sketches document the built environment of the period. They capture the personality and charm of the home, from rustic wooden cabin, to ranch house, to elegant mansion. They provide engaging portraits of historic homes surrounded by gardens, on town streets, and on country roads. These artworks enable us to place their occupants within the context of the cultural landscape of their lives and times.

Artworks that depict views of much loved residences provide a sense of continuity and confidence to the following generations who will also occupy the home. They provide the owners with a fond remembrance of family life. Diplomat Henry White (1850–1927), son of Eliza “Didy” Ridgely of Hampton and grandson of Eliza Ridgely, made the following comment about his beloved Hampton, “By far the happiest recollections of my childhood… were long annual sojourns … at Hampton. The older I become, the more do I realize how valuable a background to a man in after life is the country home of his childhood … At most of the interesting periods … of my public life, my memory has harked back to … the early days at Hampton …”

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