Catskill Waterfall Artist: John Frederick Kensett (American, 1816–1872)

1859

American Paintings and Sculpture

Not on view


"Of all the studies which relate to the material universe," wrote one critic in 1850, "there is none . . . which appeals so powerfully to our senses . . . as that of geology." Here, John Frederick Kensett’s concentration on the rocks of the Catskills reflects the period’s passion for geology. Tiny flecks of light glint off the rocks, sharpening the details of their crystalline and granite surfaces. The artist’s reverence for nature’s simple nobility imbued the topographical and geological character of each site with such specificity that viewers could easily match painting and place.

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

18 1/8 × 24 1/16 in. (46 × 61.1 cm)

Credit Line

John Hill Morgan, B.A. 1893, LL.B. 1896, M.A. (Hon.) 1929, Fund

Accession Number

1965.43

Geography

Made in United States

Culture

American

Period

19th century

Classification

Paintings

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Bibliography
  • Marco Goldin, America!, exh. cat. (Treviso: Linea d'ombra libri, 2007), 108, no. 30, ill
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

landscapes (representations)

Subject

human figures (visual works) rocks trees water

Signed

Signed lower right "J K 59"

Technical metadata and APIs

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Open in Mirador

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