American, early 19th century. Watercolor on paper with linen backing. A depiction of the south facade of George Washington's Mt. Vernon with the surrounding landscape including the Potomac River in the background. Purportedly painted by Mary Buck of Milford, Connecticut. Matted; 16.5 x 22 in. (image), 18.75 x 24 in. (sheet), 24.75 x 30 in. (mat).

Handwritten inscription to verso reading Water color by Mary Buck - Aunt of Charlotte S. DeWitt. Now owned by Charlotte A. Nettleton, niece of Charlotte S. DeWitt. Painted about 1790. A.D.N. 1908.

This watercolor is very similar in composition to a watercolor view of Mt. Vernon in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, ca 1804-1810. Both paintings appear to copy the engraving of Mt. Vernon by Francis Jukes (1745-1812) after Alexander Robertson (1772-1841), published in New York and London in 1800.

Mrs. Charlotte A. Nettleton (née Baldwin) (1834-1919) was a descendant of the prominent Connecticut Baldwin family and the wife of Lewis J. Nettleton (1832-1881), an architect by profession who served in the Civil War in the 115th regiment of Connecticut Volunteers, notably in the Battle of Fredericksburg. She was the niece of Charlotte Sturgiss DeWitt (1810-1900), whose mother Martha Belden (b. 1775) was the second wife of Abraham Van Horn DeWitt (1767-1820). Martha Belden's younger sister, Mary Mix Belden (b. 1783) married Batrzillai Deane Buck.

Condition Residue to sheet around border from former mounting, encroaches on image slightly in some places. Several minor holes to border of sheet. Discoloration to image and some apparent wear to paint in foreground. Tear to mat l.l. and wear to mat edges.