In a scene that presents itself as if a person is looking out a window along the bank of the river, Hugh Bolton Jones has captured a heart warming view of his home state. While the historic location of this large colonial estate has yet to be ascertained, several suggestions may be deduced by the artistic content. In an area where the primary 19th Century industry was agriculture, tobacco dominated. While the large white barn likely housed animals, it would be used to age and secure the tobacco crops for transportation. The multi-storied plantation has a line of spruce and sycamore trees serving as a wind breaks and shade providers, while proudly flying the American flag, with a very military-looking camp tent set up in the front yard. Many farms had their own docks and landings to ship crops by water. Leading down to the waters edge are two parallel sluice boards and several pilings where boats would be tethered, with one craft beached.
Focusing attention toward the human activity of Jones' art, a local man enjoys some time at the shore with a dog from a retriever's pedigree, while a red-shirted man works the oars to another's direction as he points the desired location of his favorite fishing hole. He keeps a grip on two poles, and his day's hope for a good catch. A large "paddle" of aptly named Redhead ducks is undisturbed by the company.
Charles County in 19th Century Maryland is home to three major rivers; the Patuxent, Potomac and Wicomico, and hundred of others streams and creeks. The readily available water made its agricultural professions profitable, and its abundant game, fowl and fish made its outdoor pursuits popular, as Jones celebrates here with an artistic finesse.
