Old State House

In oil on canvas, Lisa Bisbee presents the Old State House as a striking jewel of history framed by Boston’s modern skyscrapers. Her abstracted cityscape style transforms the rigid geometry of architecture into lively, textured planes of colour, where past and present collide on the same street.

Artist Statement:
Built in 1713, the Old State House was the spot where early colonial Bostonians first heard the Declaration of Independence. It’s the oldest surviving public building in Boston and the Georgian-style architecture stands out in the midst of modern skyscrapers. The State Street Station entrance to the MBTA subway train is located directly in the basement of the Old State House. I love to see the juxtaposition of old versus new when history meets progress.

The palette is rich in warm reds and soft golds for the Old State House, contrasted against violets, greys, and pinks in the towering skyline behind it. This interplay of colours captures not only architectural form but also the energy of Boston as a city that has always embraced change while honouring its past. The work resonates with both nostalgia and forward momentum, inviting the viewer to see the building as a living witness to history.