John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1873
Gift of Laura Subert
180.0294
Crocker's Norwich: Art and Industry in the 19th Century
Highlights
The concept of the “Long 19th Century,” as defined by British Marxist Eric Hobsbawm, refers to the period between the years 1789 and 1914 during which the French Revolution established a non-monarchical republic in Europe. The period ends with the start of World War I and its events had such a strong influence on world history and culture that they defined the era. A period of innocence, however blind, malevolent or ill-conceived, that included the White Man’s Burden, the right of Imperialism, and the rise of the industrial over the agrarian, is evident in Norwich’s ascendance and a subsequent period of decline. Originally a lush landscape, the area was home to several native tribes whose trading was aided by the confluence of three rivers.
The same natural features made it appealing to European settlers who had come predominantly from Massachusetts and became successful farmers, craftsmen and industrialists. By the time John Denison Crocker was born in Salem in 1822, Connecticut, originally part of Norwich, the city was prominent and burgeoning. Its industries, including ship building, arms and hardware manufacturing, paper production and textile processing, gave it the second-largest tax base in the state, after New Haven. Early homes in the architecture typical of New England colonials had been built around the Norwichtown Green and along radiating streets; in the Long Nineteenth Century, huge new “Vistorian” Mansions were built along Washington Street and Broadway, around Chelsea Parade and Little Plains Green.
The stately homes of industrialists and commercial infrastructure in the city’s center and along the harbor, coupled with the remaining agrarian surrounding lands, provided endless subject matter for artists. Wealth brought by industry created opportunities for artists in sign painting, illustration, portraiture and landscape painting. Artists were deeply integrated into the business milieu, maintaining studios outside their homes, mostly along Shetucket Street near the harbor, an area known as Chelsea.
This exhibition is intended to open a window into the artists’ work and lives in the Long Nineteenth Century in Norwich and to reflect the integration of art into daily life. John Denison Crocker leads the charge as portrait and landscape painter, mechanical engineer and pharmacist.
Gallery Highlights
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, n.d.
180.0571
In 1824, former seacaptain Erastus Williams purchased the property, enlarging the mill for production of woolen goods. His son, E. Winslow Williams, took over in 1865. After a disastrous fire that year, the original mill was replaced by the present stone structure, still intact and accessible north of and off Route 2 from exit 27. Louis B. Williams, grandson of Capt. Erastus, became superintendent of the mill, but he died in 1884 at the age of 24. His brother, Winslow Tracy Williams, a Junior at Yale University, returned to run the mill. Winslow was president of its successor, Ardmore Woolen Co., until 1918, when he transferred his holdings to a New York firm.
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1814 – 1884)
Oil on canvas, 1875
180.0582
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1816 – 1884)
Oil on canvas, n.d.
Gift of Mrs. Henry Bill Selden
180.0673
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, n.d.
Friends of Slater Museum Purchase
180.0682
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, 1853
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Philip A. Johnson
180.0871
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, circa 1876
Estate of (Mrs. Hubert L.) Celeste Beckwith Williams
180.1233
Alexander Hamilton Emmons (1816 – 1884)
Oil on canvas, circa 1850
180.1355
Henry Dexter (1806 – 1878)
Marble, 1860
Gift of the Buckingham Memorial
230.0175
Chauncey Bradley Ives, (1810-1894)
Marble
Gift of Virginia Adams Filardi
230.0291
Gallery Guide
Artist unknown
Oil on canvas, ca. 1825
180.0537
Artist unknown
Oil on Canvas, ca. 1825
180.0789
Alexander H. Emmons, (1816-1884)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1850
180.0746
Alexander H. Emmons, (1816-1884)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1850
180.0747
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1814 – 1884)
Oil on canvas, 1875
180.0582
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1816-1884)
Oil on canvas, 1877
From the estate of Esther Warner Werts
180.1279
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1816-1884)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1860
Gift of Grace H. Chamberlain
180.0269
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1816-1884)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1854
Gift of Grace H. Chamberlain
180.0270
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1816-1884)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1850
Gift of Charles C. Johnson
180.0757
Alexander Hamilton Emmons, (1816-1884)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1850
Gift of Charles C. Johnson
180.0807
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1873
Gift of Laura Subert
180.0294
Alexander Hamilton Emmons (1816 – 1884)
Oil on canvas, n.d.
From the Estate of Esther Warner Werts
180.1276
John Denison Crocker, (1822-1907)
Oil on canvas, c. 1870
Provenanced to the Leffingwell Family of Norwich
180.2322
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, 1907
Loaned by Mr. James W. Bussey
180.1433
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, n.d.
Friends of Slater Museum purchase
180.1788
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, n.d.
Friends of Slater Museum Purchase
180.0682
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, 1853
Gift of Mrs. Norma Schnip
180.1506
American, Artist Unknown
Wooden folk carving, possibly from a sign for a business, n.d.
Gift of Mrs. Blanche W. Browning
230.0320
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, n.d.
Gift of Natalie Bussey Langworthy
180.0718
John Denison Crocker, (1822 – 1907)
Oil on canvas, 1898
Gift of Dr. & Mrs. Lewis Sears
180.1402