The Horse Betty K.

Periodca. 1885

MediumWatercolor and gouache over graphite on paper, with a photographic fragment on paper attached

Dimensions12 × 17.5 in. (30.5 × 44.5 cm)

InscribedInscribed lower center, "Betty K." Labeled and inscribed on the reverse, "Property of / Mrs. J. Amory Haskell / Oak Hill Farm / N. J." A second handwritten label reads, "Bought from W. S. Holmes / June 1935 / Boys name Waitz [?]."

MarkingsWatermarked on reverse, "J. Whatman."

SignedSigned lower right, "B. J. Hackett" or "J. B. Hackett" and "49 W. King St."

ClassificationsLandscapes & Still Life

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, 1945

Object number2083A.1

DescriptionView of a trotting horse with a boy driving a four-wheeled sulky that is moving from right to left. In the background, a four car train being hauled by a steam locomotive is crossing a stone arched viaduct from left to right. Through one of the arches, a brick industrial building with a tower and tall chimney stack appears. A river runs through the viaduct arches and behind the horse and sulky. Three green trees and one dead tree are depicted next to the railroad embankment on the right. The boy is cut out of a photograph and applied to the watercolor.
Curatorial RemarksThe first two initials of the artist's name are conjoined, hence the confusion over whether it is B. J. or J. B. The Association's collection contains another watercolor of a horse and buggy signed by this same artist entitled "Little Dancing Jim," and dated 1885. Its accession number is 729.NotesThe identity of the artist and the location of this scene remains unknown, although at one time it was thought to be of New Brunswick, NJ, which does have a stone arch railroad viaduct spanning the Raritan River.

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