On and Off the Wall is a series of brief reflections on or about works in the collection, including those that may not often make an appearance on the gallery wall due to shortage of display space. Deborah Spanich is the museum registrar. She compiled the digital database and fell in love with many of the works in the collection.

Leighton recorded images symbolic of an American way of life. Britain born, she gave her adopted country the gifts of her artistic expertise and of insight into its nature. Leighton was well known for her wood engravings, and we have a number of of her prints in the collection. The one shown here is a different format than the others because Leighton created the image as part of a set of Wedgewood plates. Each plate depicted an industry practiced in New England. In a letter to the college, the artist said Ship Building was one of her favorites. Influenced by the circular format, the typically angular tools and materials take on an organic form, lending a gentle perspective to the men and their vessel that will cradle sailors adrift on the sea. Leighton said of this image, “There is nothing false about any of these details.” Her affection for both her subject, and the character of this country, is palpable.

You will find several other wood engravings by Clare Leighton in our online catalog.