Hunting Dogs and Farmhouse of William I. Conover

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Hunting Dogs and Farmhouse of William I. Conover

PeriodCirca 1870-1880

Place MadeMarlboro, New Jersey, U.S.A.

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions16 × 32 in. (40.6 × 81.3 cm)

ClassificationsLandscapes & Still Life

Credit LineBequest of Alan R. Baird, 2024

Object number2024.3

DescriptionAn elongated rectangular scene depicting two spaniel-setter hunting dogs posed in profile on a grassy lawn. The setter at left rests on all fours, with a white and red spotted coat and shaggy ears. The setter at right is standing, its white coat spotted with red near the tail and slightly red-tipped ears. Both dogs wear black collars with what might be either gold-toned buckles or name plates. In the background stands a white-painted clapboard farmhouse, all the windows open with interior curtains visible, green shutters, front portico, rear kitchen addition, and a pair of bulkhead doors open to the cellar. Several chickens idly peck at the grassy lawn. Towards the rear of the house on the far left are two farm buildings, including what appears to be a carriage shed and a smaller work shed or chicken coop. Many trees partially obscure the house, and all are in full leaf. The work is unsigned and appears to retain its original frame.
Curatorial RemarksFamily tradition has it that this charming scene of William I. Conover's home and hunting dogs was painted by artist George Henry Durrie (1820-1863). Durrie was well-known to the Conover family, staying with Tunis and Rebecca Conover in the summer of 1842. Durrie recorded in his ledger painting a total of five portraits: Tunis, wife Rebecca, and their three children Hendrick, Ann, and William. Durrie charged Tunis Conover eight dollars, painting William for free in exchange for room and board. Durrie also produced a little pencil sketch of the Conover barns and landscape. Durrie was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1820. After receiving some formal training in portraiture, by 1839 Durrie was growing his customer base. His surviving account books show him traveling after his marriage in 1841, using the railroad to reach clients in Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and as far south as Virginia. Durrie also painted still lifes and "fancy" pieces including fireplace screens and window shades. Durrie rarely completed portraits after 1851 in large part due to the effect of photography on portrait art. Durrie shifted his focus to landscapes, and appeared to stay closer to his home and family in Connecticut. His works, although somewhat influenced by the artists of the Hudson River School, were more personal and intimate, depicting landscape and inhabitants. Winter views appealed greatly to him, and by the mid 1850s caught the attention of Currier & Ives. The firm purchased a number of Durrie's landscapes, several of which became some of their most popular offerings. George Henry Durrie died relatively young of typhoid fever. It is uncertain as to whether Durrie was the artist who created the scene of Conover's hunting dogs and farmhouse. The work appears to date to the 1870s or so, while Durrie died in 1863. Whoever painted the Conover farm and hunting dogs produced a charming and rather unusual view. The very low perspective brings the scene to a "dog's eye view," while including interesting details of a typical, comfortable late 19th century Monmouth farmhouse and property.NotesWilliam I. Conover (1836 - 1902) was a son of Tunis V. Conover and his wife Rebecca Crawford Conover of Marlboro, Monmouth County. He married Cornelia Smock, and the couple had two daughters, Anna and Maria (Marion). Conover succeeded his brother Hendrick to ownership of the family farm about 1866, continuing to work it until his death. William's brother Hendrick appears to have moved onto his own farm, successfully running it as well as developing a distillery business in Freehold. 1884 was a difficult year for the Conover family. In March, William's wife Cornelia Smock Conover, died. Her obituary was touchingly written, noting that "none knew her but to love her, none named her but to praise...a tenderly cherished wife, gentle, affectionate, wise in counsel..." In August of that year, Hendrick underwent serious surgery for tongue cancer at a New York hospital in August 1884. Hendrick's entire tongue and part of his jaw were removed, and he never recovered. Hendrick died at his brother William's home, the home in which he was born, on June 24, 1885.He was interred at Old Brick Reformed Church where his parents were buried. William continued as a successful farmer. Articles appeared in local papers regularly, detailing his love of fishing and hunting with his dogs. Conover, usually accompanied by at least one friend, went to Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina for deer, turkey, and quail hunting. Conover apparently kept dogs throughout his life. In 1898, an unpleasant incident was detailed in the paper. Tinton Falls resident Arthur Bennett, after having his horse scared by a big Newfoundland dog of Conover's, brought a revolver on his next trip. When the dog came out, Bennett shot it dead. Bennett claimed self-defense, and Conover had no license for the dog, so no prosecution was sought. In his will, William made extensive provisions for his possessions. William's will reveals that he played both the violin and piano, leaving his violin to his grandddaughter Elsie C. Longstreet and his piano and sheet music to his daughter Marion. His son-in-law Alexander H. Baird, husband of his daughter Marion, received William's guns and hunting dogs.In his obituary, William Conover was noted as being "fond of gunning and every year he went on a gunning trip to the south."

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Landmarks, Landscapes & Seascapes

ProvenanceWilliam I. Conover (1836-1902) to his daughter Marion Alma Conover Baird (1876-1957) to her son Kenneth A. Baird (1904-1966) to his son Alan R. Baird (1946-2023)