Catskill Scenery
- Date
- c.1833
- Material
- Oil on canvas
- depicts
- New York, United States, North and Central America
- made in
- United States, North and Central America
- Classification
- Paintings
- Collection
- American Art
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 336
- Dimensions
- 24 1/2 x 32 3/8 in. (62.2 x 82.2 cm)
framed: 30 1/2 x 38 3/4 in. (77.5 x 98.4 cm) - Credit Line
- Eliza McMillan Trust, Friends Endowment Fund, and funds given by Mr. and Mrs. John S. Ames and Miss Elizabeth Green, by exchange
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 105:1970
NOTES
The detailed, rough-hewn foreground, rustic scene in mid-ground, and mountainous background in this work follow the format favored by 19th-century American landscape painters. Thomas Cole, celebrated as the “father” of American landscape painting, introduced this format to his fellow artists, known as the Hudson River School.
In addition to the Hudson River School format, Cole drew on other artistic conventions familiar to viewers at the time. The farmhouse in the distance and the wooden footbridge were commonly understood as emblems of the nation's progress and economic potential. Cole contrasts such potential with a forested landscape to suggest the importance of a balance between industry and preserving nature.
In addition to the Hudson River School format, Cole drew on other artistic conventions familiar to viewers at the time. The farmhouse in the distance and the wooden footbridge were commonly understood as emblems of the nation's progress and economic potential. Cole contrasts such potential with a forested landscape to suggest the importance of a balance between industry and preserving nature.
Provenance
by 1945 -
M. Knoedler & Co., New York, NY [1]
by 1948 -
George B. Cluett, Little Compton, RI [2]
by 1969 - 1970
Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc., New York, NY [3]
1970 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Hirschl & Adler [4]
Notes:
[1] Knoedler is listed as the lender in a 1945 exhibition [Sweet, Frederick A. "The Hudson River School and the Early American Landscape Tradition," The Art Institute of Chicago, 1945, cat. 49].
[2] A 1948 exhibition catalogue lists George B. Cluett as the lender [Seaver, Esther Isabel. "Thomas Cole 1801-1848: One Hundred Years Later," Hartford, CT: The Wadsworth Atheneum, 1994, cat. 21].
[3] The reverse of the painting is marked "10/4/69 H & A" indicating that it was in Hirschl & Adler's possession by October 1969. The invoice from Hirschl & Adler dated December 9, 1970 lists only Mr. Cluett as previous owner [SLAM document files]. It is likely that Hirschl & Adler acquired the painting from Mr. Cluett.
[4] Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, City Art Museum, November 20, 1970.
M. Knoedler & Co., New York, NY [1]
by 1948 -
George B. Cluett, Little Compton, RI [2]
by 1969 - 1970
Hirschl & Adler Galleries, Inc., New York, NY [3]
1970 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from Hirschl & Adler [4]
Notes:
[1] Knoedler is listed as the lender in a 1945 exhibition [Sweet, Frederick A. "The Hudson River School and the Early American Landscape Tradition," The Art Institute of Chicago, 1945, cat. 49].
[2] A 1948 exhibition catalogue lists George B. Cluett as the lender [Seaver, Esther Isabel. "Thomas Cole 1801-1848: One Hundred Years Later," Hartford, CT: The Wadsworth Atheneum, 1994, cat. 21].
[3] The reverse of the painting is marked "10/4/69 H & A" indicating that it was in Hirschl & Adler's possession by October 1969. The invoice from Hirschl & Adler dated December 9, 1970 lists only Mr. Cluett as previous owner [SLAM document files]. It is likely that Hirschl & Adler acquired the painting from Mr. Cluett.
[4] Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, City Art Museum, November 20, 1970.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.