Artwork
Autumn - On the Hudson River
Autumn - On the Hudson River is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist Jasper Francis Cropsey. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center: Autumn, -on the Hudson River / J. F Cropsey / London 1860
About this work
From a London studio in 1860, Jasper Francis Cropsey painted a blazing sweep of the Hudson River Valley that fixed his reputation as America's painter of autumn. The canvas stretches nearly nine feet wide, showing the flank of Storm King Mountain. Queen Victoria reportedly marveled at the fiery colors, and it brought Cropsey $2,000 from London dealer Thomas Slattery, his largest payment yet.
Subject & Meaning
As a Hudson River School landscape, the work represents the movement's idealization of the American wilderness as a majestic and harmonious environment.
The painting depicts an expansive view of the Hudson River with Storm King Mountain in the distance during autumn. In the foreground, a man accompanied by a dog hunts near a lake and rocky terrain, while the sky is filled with clouds and sunlight. As a Hudson River School landscape, the work represents the movement's idealization of the American wilderness as a majestic and harmonious environment.
The autumnal setting and inclusion of human activity underscore themes of seasonal change and the pastoral relationship between people and nature.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1860, Autumn - On the Hudson River by Jasper Francis Cropsey passed into the collection of Arthur Jocelyn Charles, 6th Earl of Arran (1868–1958). Following the Earl of Arran sale at Sotheby's, London, on 11 July 1951 (lot 150), the work entered the possession of an owner listed as "Duke," then a private collection. By November 1959 it was with the John Nicholson Gallery, New York, from which the National Gallery of Art purchased it on 15 October 1963.
The painting is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. No inventory/accession number or exhibition history has been recorded in the provided sources.
Overview
Jasper Francis Cropsey painted this expansive oil on canvas in 1860, while residing in London. Drawing on memories and sketches from his travels in the Hudson River Valley, he depicted a vibrant autumn landscape that would become central to his artistic identity. The large-scale work, nearly nine feet wide, captures the rich colors of the American season and significantly contributed to Cropsey's reputation as a preeminent painter of autumn scenes, making a notable impression on contemporary audiences.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on a generously sized horizontal canvas, the artwork showcases Cropsey's command of landscape composition. He utilized newly available chemical-based pigments from the mid-19th century, which allowed for an intense saturation of color. This vivid palette, particularly the fiery reds and oranges of the autumn foliage, was a distinctive characteristic that both captivated and surprised viewers, establishing a unique visual language for his interpretations of the American landscape.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Francis Cropsey was an American architect and artist. He is best known for his Hudson River School landscape paintings.
Compared in the Impressionism course