Rutgers College

Period1857

MediumBlack and white pastel on thin cardboard prepared with marble dust

Dimensions17.5 × 22.5 in. (44.5 × 57.2 cm)

InscribedStamped on reverse, "S. Wood. Jr's / monochromatic boards."

SignedSigned on reverse, "Drawn by / Mary Ann -- / Van Schoick / Finished on 16th of Sept. / 57 / Complete done / up Brownie."

ClassificationsLandscapes & Still Life

Credit LineGift of W. Gilbert and Janet Manson, 1992

Object number1992.8.3

DescriptionAn animated scene of an eleven bay, three story college building, with a projecting pedimented central pavilion surmounted by an elaborate octagonal cupola, and four chimneys. The main structure is flanked on the left by a five bay, square, hip roofed building with three chimneys and railed platform at the roof peak. It is also flanked on the right by a four bay, two story structure with four chimneys, and a front porch with five columns. The property is surrounded by a picket fence with an elaborate gateway in the near corner intersection of two streets. A curving path leads from the gate to the front of the buildings, while another path goes directly from the gate to the main central building. The lot is heavily landscaped with trees. The street features three horse drawn vehicles, with numerous people on the sidewalks. More figures can be seen on the various walkways within the fence, and on the porch of the right hand structure. The sky is shown with moody white clouds.
Curatorial RemarksPictures of this type, often referred to as sandpaper drawings, were executed in charcoal or pastel on thin cardboard which had been prepared in advance with a coating of marble dust. They were a very popular art form for school girls in the late 1850s.NotesThis so-called sandpaper drawing depicts the campus of Rutgers College in New Brunswick, Middlesex County, as it appeared in the late 1850s. It is based on a print, although the artist has added more people and horse drawn vehicles in the foreground. The large center building with a cupola is called Old Queens, which still stands. The scene is datable by the presence of Herzog Hall in the extreme right distance. This home for the New Brunswick Theological Seminary was completed in 1856. Mary A. Van Schoick (1838 - 1902) was born in Middletown, Monmouth County, a daughter of William Van Schoick (1809 - 1883) and Elizabeth Hendrickson (1809 - 1890). In 1860, she married to Joseph B. Parker. They made their home in Shrewsbury, and became the parents of three children. Mary Parker died at the home of her daughter in Trenton. She was interred in Greenwood Cemetery, West Long Branch, Monmouth County.

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