Crossing the Ford
1848
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1848
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
You see a group of people and horses crossing a river in this painting. It's an early work by the artist, and you can tell he's still experimenting with light and color. The way the people are placed in the scene, with some in the foreground and others in the background, creates a sense of depth. Check out the technique of glazing to learn more about how artists like George Inness achieved subtle color effects.