Katharine Barnwell
Artist, Designer & Bedford Neighbor
Part treasure hunt, part history lesson, and part work of art, our limited-edition John Jay Homestead puzzle brings together the people, places, buildings, animals, and stories that have shaped the Homestead. We asked Bedford-based artist Katharine Barnwell about bringing this historic landscape to life—one piece at a time.
The puzzle is filled with people, buildings, animals, and hidden details. What’s your favorite detail that someone might miss on first glance?
I think the trickiest item in the painting might be the lock of hair George Washington’s giving to Sarah Jay at the dining table while waiting for the other gentlemen to join them.
What surprised you most as you learned about John Jay and the Homestead?
I think I was so impressed with how many important things he’d accomplished for the country, from signing the Paris Treaty to the Federalist Papers to becoming the First Chief Justice of the United States, the Supreme Court, the 2nd Governor of New York..the list goes on.. And tho he’s not mentioned as often in History books, he was certainly crucially involved with all the most famous men of his time, most of whom managed to visit John Jay at the Homestead.
How do you translate a place with so many layers of history into a single image?
Trying to do justice to all of John Jay’s world on one piece of paper was indeed a daunting task. I simply tried using his amazing Homestead, which he built, as the perfect base for all his interests …from national and international politics to family,farming, an ofcourse entertaining… Hopefully one can see he was hardly an idol individual or one who kept to himself.
As we mark the 250th anniversary of the United States, what did it mean to you to help tell the story of this place through your art?
What a huge honor it was attempting to bring to life on paper this extraordinary human being amidst his exquisite property, he so carefully, lovingly created for himself, his family and colleagues that we now are so blessed to have available to us to appreciate and learn by.
Learn more about the commemorative puzzle and get yours by clicking here.