Floor plan

Style galleriesRomanticism

Romanticism

Musidora, by Thomas Sully, 1813–35
Captain John Gell, by Gilbert Stuart, 1785
We look across and down at a channel of water separating two landmasses labeled "Boston" and "Charles Town" in this horizontal landscape painting. Four three-masted ships are in the aquamarine-blue harbor between us and the land. Three of them have their sails unfurled and smoke billows from the broad, starboard side of each. Tidy rows of brown houses line the area of Boston. A puff of white smoke rises from the farthest point. Two arrow-shaped missiles, perhaps projectiles on fire, arc toward Charles Town, where billowing gray plumes of smoke rise from vivid orange fire on the far side of the landmass. Rowboats bring soldiers to the shore of Charles Town, close to where hundreds of soldiers line up and fire at each other. Much of the rest of Charles Town is a hill leading to sheer cliffs to our right. Tan and gray-colored smoke mixes among bright white clouds against a pale blue sky on the top half of the painting.
The image shows a man's head and part of his neck in profile view. The man is looking to the left, showcasing his facial features. He has a prominent nose, cheekbones, dark hair with hints of gray at the sides, and a white beard under his chin. He is wearing a gray collar that is partially visible. The background is a plain, muted brown color. There are no objects or jewelry visible in the image.
George Washington, by Charles Peale Polk, ca. 1790
The image shows a woman standing upright with a small red book in her right hand. She has a fair complexion, neutral expression, slightly arched eyebrows, and small, rounded lips. Her dark brown hair is styled in an updo with a black accessory. She wears a high-necked dark dress with puffed sleeves and a white collar. The background is plain blue. The woman is not wearing any visible jewelry, and the setting is minimalistic with only the book present.
Four women with musical instruments lounge in a massive garden courtyard.
Mrs. Mayer and Daughter, by Ammi Phillips, 1835–40

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

Sublime landscapes, storms and feeling, from about 1780 to 1850.

Section 1, north wall

  1. Musidora, by Thomas Sully, 1813–35
    MusidoraThomas Sully, 1813–35Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Captain John Gell, by Gilbert Stuart, 1785
    Captain John GellGilbert Stuart, 1785Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. We look across and down at a channel of water separating two landmasses labeled "Boston" and "Charles Town" in this horizontal landscape painting. Four three-masted ships are in the aquamarine-blue harbor between us and the land. Three of them have their sails unfurled and smoke billows from the broad, starboard side of each. Tidy rows of brown houses line the area of Boston. A puff of white smoke rises from the farthest point. Two arrow-shaped missiles, perhaps projectiles on fire, arc toward Charles Town, where billowing gray plumes of smoke rise from vivid orange fire on the far side of the landmass. Rowboats bring soldiers to the shore of Charles Town, close to where hundreds of soldiers line up and fire at each other. Much of the rest of Charles Town is a hill leading to sheer cliffs to our right. Tan and gray-colored smoke mixes among bright white clouds against a pale blue sky on the top half of the painting.
    Attack on Bunker's Hill, with the Burning of Charles TownUnrecorded American maker, 1783 or afterCourtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  4. The image shows a man's head and part of his neck in profile view. The man is looking to the left, showcasing his facial features. He has a prominent nose, cheekbones, dark hair with hints of gray at the sides, and a white beard under his chin. He is wearing a gray collar that is partially visible. The background is a plain, muted brown color. There are no objects or jewelry visible in the image.
    Profile of a Man with SidewhiskersUnrecorded German maker, c. 1850Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 1, south wall

  1. George Washington, by Charles Peale Polk, ca. 1790
    George WashingtonCharles Peale Polk, ca. 1790Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The image shows a woman standing upright with a small red book in her right hand. She has a fair complexion, neutral expression, slightly arched eyebrows, and small, rounded lips. Her dark brown hair is styled in an updo with a black accessory. She wears a high-necked dark dress with puffed sleeves and a white collar. The background is plain blue. The woman is not wearing any visible jewelry, and the setting is minimalistic with only the book present.
    Anonymous WomanUnrecorded American maker, c. 1830Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. Four women with musical instruments lounge in a massive garden courtyard.
    The Interior of the Palm House on the Pfaueninsel Near PotsdamCarl Blechen, 1834Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  4. Mrs. Mayer and Daughter, by Ammi Phillips, 1835–40
    Mrs. Mayer and DaughterAmmi Phillips, 1835–40Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 2, south wall

  1. A work made of oil on paper, laid onto cardboard.
    A Farmhouse in the Bavarian AlpsJohann Georg von Dillis, c. 1825Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago
  2. Panoramic View of the Palace and Gardens of Versailles, by John Vanderlyn, 1818–19
    Panoramic View of the Palace and Gardens of VersaillesJohn Vanderlyn, 1818–19Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  3. A work made of oil on canvas.
    The Fountain at GrottaferrataAdrian Ludwig (Ludwig) Richter, 1832Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago

Section 2, north wall

  1. The Alling Children, by Oliver Tarbell Eddy, ca. 1839
    The Alling ChildrenOliver Tarbell Eddy, ca. 1839Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The image shows a large cut watermelon in a woven basket surrounded by various fruits including grapes, peaches, and small round red fruits. The color palette includes greens, blues, oranges, and browns. The basket takes up most of the space and is filled with fruits, with grape clusters hanging above it.
    Fruit on a TrayUnrecorded American maker, c. 1840Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. George Washington, by Gilbert Stuart, begun 1795
    George WashingtonGilbert Stuart, begun 1795Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Section 3, north wall

  1. Elijah Boardman, by Ralph Earl, 1789
    Elijah BoardmanRalph Earl, 1789Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. A work made of oil on canvas.
    Inside the ColosseumFranz Ludwig Catel, c. 1823Courtesy of the Art Institute of Chicago