Floor plan

East wing: The Nineteenth CenturyThe Hudson River School

The Hudson River School

The painting depicts a tranquil lake scene with a low horizon line showing a pale green hill in the background under a pale, cloudy sky. Closer to us, on the right, there is a large, textured rock surrounded by greenery and red flowers. In the distance, a wooden dock extends into the lake on the left, and a person wearing red appears to sit or stand with their back to us.
The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey (study for series, The Cross and the World), by Thomas Cole, ca. 1846-1848
The Aegean Sea, by Frederic Edwin Church, ca. 1877
View near Newport, by John Frederick Kensett, 1860s
This painting features a landscape with a calm body of water dominating the lower portion. The view is slightly elevated, overlooking the water that reflects the surrounding greenery and sky. Two white swans glide on the river, which is surrounded by green trees and shrubs. In the distance, a large tan castle with multiple towers and crenellations stands above the trees. In front of the castle, on the right side of the painting, a smaller structure with white walls and red roofs sits, surrounded by greenery. One or two people appear to sit out in front of it, and on the right sheep lay in the soft green grass. The color palette includes deep greens, soft browns, and varying shades of blue.

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

American landscape painters of the mid-1800s who made wilderness their grand subject.

Section 1, north wall

  1. The painting depicts a tranquil lake scene with a low horizon line showing a pale green hill in the background under a pale, cloudy sky. Closer to us, on the right, there is a large, textured rock surrounded by greenery and red flowers. In the distance, a wooden dock extends into the lake on the left, and a person wearing red appears to sit or stand with their back to us.
    Landing at Sabbath Day PointJohn Frederick Kensett, c. 1853Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey (study for series, The Cross and the World), by Thomas Cole, ca. 1846-1848
    The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey (study for series, The Cross and the World)Thomas Cole, ca. 1846-1848Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  3. The Aegean Sea, by Frederic Edwin Church, ca. 1877
    The Aegean SeaFrederic Edwin Church, ca. 1877Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 1, south wall

  1. View near Newport, by John Frederick Kensett, 1860s
    View near NewportJohn Frederick Kensett, 1860sCourtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. This painting features a landscape with a calm body of water dominating the lower portion. The view is slightly elevated, overlooking the water that reflects the surrounding greenery and sky. Two white swans glide on the river, which is surrounded by green trees and shrubs. In the distance, a large tan castle with multiple towers and crenellations stands above the trees. In front of the castle, on the right side of the painting, a smaller structure with white walls and red roofs sits, surrounded by greenery. One or two people appear to sit out in front of it, and on the right sheep lay in the soft green grass. The color palette includes deep greens, soft browns, and varying shades of blue.
    Warwick Castle, EnglandJasper Francis Cropsey, 1857Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 2, south wall

  1. Heart of the Andes, by Frederic Edwin Church, 1859
    Heart of the AndesFrederic Edwin Church, 1859Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm—The Oxbow, by Thomas Cole, 1836
    View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm—The OxbowThomas Cole, 1836Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 2, north wall

  1. The Parthenon, by Frederic Edwin Church, 1871
    The ParthenonFrederic Edwin Church, 1871Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Lake George, by John Frederick Kensett, 1869
    Lake GeorgeJohn Frederick Kensett, 1869Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 3, north wall

  1. CENTURY PLANT, JAMAICA
    Century Plant, JamaicaFrederic Edwin Church, May–September 1865Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  2. THE TETONS, SHOWN FROM THE PLAIN
    The Tetons, Shown from the PlainThomas Moran, August 28, 1879Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  3. Twilight in the Wilderness, by Frederic Edwin Church, 1860
    Twilight in the WildernessFrederic Edwin Church, 1860Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  4. Near Ariccia, Italy, by Sanford Robinson Gifford, 1868
    Near Ariccia, ItalySanford Robinson Gifford, 1868Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 3, south wall

  1. Mountains in Colorado, by John Frederick Kensett, 1870
    Mountains in ColoradoJohn Frederick Kensett, 1870Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  2. October in the Marshes, by John Frederick Kensett, 1872
    October in the MarshesJohn Frederick Kensett, 1872Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. View of Florence, by Thomas Cole, 1837
    View of FlorenceThomas Cole, 1837Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art