mcentee was a particularly close friend of hudson river school artists sanford robinson gifford, worthington whittredge, john ferguson weir, as well as figurative painter eastman johnson. he was made an associate of the national academy of design in 1860, and a full academician in 1861. in 1869 he visited europe, painting much in italy. he died on january 27, 1891 of bright's disease and is buried in montrepose cemetery in kingston, new york.