Who painted The Rising Sun?

The Rising Sun was painted by Frank Short in 1922.

Where can I see The Rising Sun?

The Rising Sun is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

Can I buy a print of The Rising Sun?

Museum-quality prints of The Rising Sun are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Rising Sun

Frank Short , 1922

The Rising Sun is a print by Frank Short. It dates from 1922 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1958.149
Credit line: The Lucy S. Greene Collection, Gift of Mary Greene Patch

About this work

Overview

Frank Short’s 1922 print The Rising Sun depicts a modest wooden structure on a tranquil street corner, its sign proclaiming the eponymous establishment. Two figures converse near the doorway while a mature tree shades the scene and a river follows the road’s edge. The composition conveys a moment of everyday life in a historic setting, rendered with a spontaneous, sketch‑like quality.

Subject & Meaning

The modest building, likely a tavern or inn, anchors the work’s narrative, inviting viewers to imagine the social interactions of its patrons. The presence of the river and the towering tree adds a sense of place, suggesting a rural or semi‑urban environment where community and nature intersect. The title reinforces the notion of a gathering spot where daily routines unfold.

Technique & Style

Short employs rapid, gestural lines to delineate forms, creating a lively interplay of light and shadow across the structures and foliage. While the print’s surface hints at his expertise in mezzotint and aquatint, the dominant effect arises from drypoint‑like incisions that produce a textured, sketch‑like finish, emphasizing immediacy over polished detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1922, The Rising Sun entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection, where it remains accessible to the public. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s interest in early twentieth‑century British printmaking and in works that illustrate the revival of traditional intaglio techniques championed by Short.