James A. Perrine and his son Aaron Crossing a Field in an Open Carriage

Artist Alessandro E. Mario

Period1856

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions28.75 × 36 in. (73 × 91.4 cm)

SignedSigned lower left, "E. Mario / 1856."

ClassificationsLandscapes & Still Life

Credit LineGift of Mrs. F. A. C. Perrine, 1936

Object number955

DescriptionA bearded gentleman dressed in a brown coat and black hat riding in a carriage which is painted black with yellow wheels with his young son wearing a light blue jacket and a cap. The carriage, shown crossing a grassy field, is pulled by a gray horse and a sorrel or chestnut colored horse. The carriage is shown heading toward the right side of the painting. A bright streak of sunlight hits the grass just in front of the carriage. A moody, dark sky is enhanced by clouds reflecting the coppery color of a late day sun. A small stretch of worm fencing appears in the middle distance on the left edge of the painting.
Curatorial RemarksThis work is one of five paintings by Alessandro E. Mario in the collections of the Association. Three of them were commissions from James Anderson Perrine.NotesJames Applegate Perrine (1821 - 1907) was born at Bergen's Mills in Millstone Township. He married Rebecca Ann Combs in 1850. Rebecca attended the Freehold Young Ladies Academy in 1845. he couple lived on a farm in Manalapan Township that was bordered on the south by Route 33, and east by Wemrock Road. The property is now part of the Monmouth Battlefield State Park. Seated next to Perrine in the carriage is his son Aaron Combs Perrine, who was four years old at the time of the painting. He died at the age of six in 1858. The carriage is being pulled by Lady Gray and Sorrel Hopkins. According to Association accession records, "One day in 1856 having driven from his home in Manalapan to Freehold, [Perrine] laid a wager that he could beat next train out of Freehold to Jamesburg - train to make all regular stops. He won the bet by crossing the tracks in front of the train as it pulled into Jamesburg."

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