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Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma) Moses (American, 1860 – 1961), The Old Checkered House, 1880, N.H…
The Old Checkered House, 1880, N.H.
Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma) Moses (American, 1860 – 1961), The Old Checkered House, 1880, N.H., June 30, 1950, Oil on Masonite, 11 1/16 × 11 in., The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls, New York, Gift of Joan C. Osborne, 1996.2. Photograph by mclaughlinphoto.com

The Old Checkered House, 1880, N.H.

Artist Anna Mary Robertson (Grandma) Moses American, 1860 - 1961
DateJune 30, 1950
MediumOil on masonite
DimensionsBoard: 11 1/16 × 11 in. (28.1 × 27.9 cm)
Frame Dimensions: 14 1/2 x 14 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. (36.8 x 36.2 x 3.8 cm)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineGift of Joan C. Osborne
Object number1996.2
On View
Not on view
Collections
  • American Paintings & Sculpture
SignedLR "Moses" in black paint
InscribedIn yellow paint in the grass in the lower right of the painting, part in cursive and part in block letters: "The Old Checkered House, 1880, N.H." The second syllable of 'checkered' seems to have been written after the rest of the title and has been added below the end of "Check" On verso: "A Grandma Moses Original Painting. Copyright 1950 by Grandma Moses Properties, Inc".
MarkingsLabel on back: Photo of Grandma Moses and the date of the painting, painting number, and title.
DescriptionThe central feature of the panel is a long two-story structure that appears to be of of mid-late 18th century origins. It is painted in a white and red-brown check pattern. A large deciduous tree stands to the left and two pines tower behind the building.

The building has an end-gable roof and three chimneys. There are probably two doors, but possibly three at the front. The artist has painted three unfenestrated blocks slightly larger than the windows on the front of the first story or the building, only one clearly has steps in front of it. An image of a postcard of this building found under the Wikipedia page for Hinsdale, NH is equally unclear as to exactly what these areas are, possibly window openings partially boarded up etc. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Checkered_House,_Hinsdale,_NH.jpg; Accessed 3/18/2010]. This postcard is most likely the image the artist was referencing. The caption on that postcard reads "The Old Checkered House (Built 1800, Destroyed by fire 1901/Hindsdale, N.H.") The 1880 date inscribed by the artist appears to be an incorrect recording of this caption.


ProvenanceJoan C. Osborne, Pepperell, MA; given to The Hyde Collection Trust, Glens Falls, NY, 1995.