A RARE SIGHTING
$395.00
Editorial View
The Gallery's Perspective
There is a taut, breathless quality to this scene — the moment just before violence breaks — that gives the painting its quiet urgency. Buxton arranges figures in a low, wooded ravine so the viewer feels almost level with the militiamen and Abenaki warriors, close enough to notice the tightened muscles, the cocked weapons, and the small gestures that signal surprise and resolve. The palette is dominated by deep forest greens and earthen browns, offset by flashes of red and white in clothing and accoutrements that draw the eye to individual faces and actions. Light skims the water and the undergrowth, lending a cool stillness that heightens the sense of imminent movement. Thoughtful attention to period detail — clothing, muskets, and the slope of the bank — anchors the drama in a specific place and time without overwhelming the human tension at the center. The painting reads as both a historical tableau and an intimate study of a fraught moment, one that lingers in the mind because of its balance of calm and imminent conflict.
The Artwork
About Ambush 1725 at Lovewell Pond
Ambush 1725 at Lovewell Pond<br> LIMITED EDITION CANVAS
Artist John Buxton’s new Fine Art Edition depicts the calm before the storm of an American Indian surprise attack on militiamen. Captain John Lovewell of New England, a ranger and renowned scalp hunter, died on May 8, 1725 as he led a third expedition against the Abenaki Indians in an area now known as Fryeburg, Maine. A number of colonial militiamen and Abenaki Native Americans, including a notorious war chief named Paugus, also died in the engagement which marked the end of hostilities between the Abenaki and the white colonists in this part of the colonies.
More than 100 years later, the event was immortalized in a poem The Battle of Lovell's Pond, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, author of Paul Revere's Ride, and The Song of Hiawatha.
One of the verses reads:
The warriors that fought for their country, and bled,
Have sunk to their rest; the damp earth is their bed,
No stone tells the place where their ashes repose,
Nor points out the spot from the graves of their foes.
I'm a historical artist. I don't claim to be a historian, said Buxton who is known for his painstaking research into every detail. He hired a Maine historian to help him explore the banks of what is now Lake Lovewell in Maine. They canoed the lake and saw the actual sites of Captain Lovewell’s exploits. Buxton noted the steep slope of the bank, the vegetation and fully imagined the scene that eventually took shape on his canvas. The original painting was commissioned by a direct descendant of Captain John Lovewell. Now you, too, can own a piece of this remarkable Colonial New England history.
More than 100 years later, the event was immortalized in a poem The Battle of Lovell's Pond, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, author of Paul Revere's Ride, and The Song of Hiawatha.
One of the verses reads:
The warriors that fought for their country, and bled,
Have sunk to their rest; the damp earth is their bed,
No stone tells the place where their ashes repose,
Nor points out the spot from the graves of their foes.
I'm a historical artist. I don't claim to be a historian, said Buxton who is known for his painstaking research into every detail. He hired a Maine historian to help him explore the banks of what is now Lake Lovewell in Maine. They canoed the lake and saw the actual sites of Captain Lovewell’s exploits. Buxton noted the steep slope of the bank, the vegetation and fully imagined the scene that eventually took shape on his canvas. The original painting was commissioned by a direct descendant of Captain John Lovewell. Now you, too, can own a piece of this remarkable Colonial New England history.
Collector Details
What to Know About This Piece
Product-specific details, edition information, provenance, and special considerations are shown here when applicable.
About the Collection
John Buxton is a renowned historical fine artist, best known for his realistic depictions of 18th-century American frontier life. His artwork, meticulously researched and historically accurate, brings to life the events and people of the French and Indian War, Native American history, and Colonial America. With a background in commercial illustration, Buxton transitioned to fine art, creating dynamic and immersive historical scenes that capture the essence of America’s early conflicts and cultural interactions. His collectible fine art prints and original paintings are highly sought after by history enthusiasts and art collectors, preserving the rich heritage of the American Revolution and frontier life.
Artist Signature
Signed by the artist
This piece is artist signed and includes a Certificate of Authenticity.
Image Rights
Image copyright © 2026 by John Buxton.
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Authenticity & Documentation
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"John Buxton was born in the small southern town of Oxford, North Carolina. He
excelled at art from childhood. After two years of general college in his
home state, he earned his art degree from the Art Center College of Design in
Los Angeles, California.
He was a successful illustrator for 31 years, working in Detroit, Cleveland
and Pittsburgh. During this time, he illustrated two books for the National
Geographic Society and developed a fascination with documentation and truth in
art. In 1994 he left illustration and began painting subjects more personal
to his interests.
Buxton soon began exhibiting his painting, placing two works in the
Birds in Art show at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Northlight Books
later reproduced these two paintings in The Best of Wildlife Art 2 by Rachel
Rubin World. He entered, and placed in the Top 100 in the Arts For The Parks
competition. The Society of Animal Artists elected him to membership and
invited him to show in their national exhibitions. He exhibited with the
American Academy of Equine Artists before settling into his true niche:
Historical Art.
Buxton s historical images of the 18th century often depict scenes
from the birth of our nation, allowing the viewer to witness momentous events
or experiences from everyday life of the frontier. Many historical sites
display Buxton s extensively researched works and several documentary films
have been aired that featured his paintings. Buxton s paintings are available
as a CD Teaching Aid for educators wishing to give students a more intimate
view of America s historical heritage, effectively making history come alive.
His original paintings and commissioned works are in great demand. Buxton
exhibits his original art at Settlers West Galleries in Arizona, Gallery One
of Ohio and Lord Nelson s Gallery in Gettysburg. Buxton has shown his artwork
at the Gilcrease Museum and his largest painting; a life-size standing
portrait of Abraham Lincoln hangs in a place of honor at the National Civil War Museum.
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