Artwork
The Clove - A Storm Scene in the Catskill Mountains
The Clove - A Storm Scene in the Catskill Mountains is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist Jasper Francis Cropsey. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
As a work by Jasper Francis Cropsey created in 1851, the painting captures a specific moment of meteorological intensity rather than a serene vista.
The Clove - A Storm Scene in the Catskill Mountains depicts a dramatic storm within the Catskill Mountains, focusing on the atmospheric turbulence and the impact of weather on the natural landscape. The composition features prominent trees subjected to the force of the storm, illustrating the raw power of nature. As a work by Jasper Francis Cropsey created in 1851, the painting captures a specific moment of meteorological intensity rather than a serene vista.
The subject emphasizes the sublime aspect of the American wilderness, where the storm serves as the central iconographic element, underscoring the artist's interest in the dynamic and untamed character of the American environment during the mid-nineteenth century.
Technique & Style
The Clove - A Storm Scene in the Catskill Mountains is an oil painting on canvas, created in 1851 by Jasper Francis Cropsey. The work measures approximately 152 cm in height by 120.2 cm in width and is classified as a landscape painting. Its material composition consists of oil paint applied to a canvas support, a common choice for mid-nineteenth-century American landscapes.
The composition centers on a storm-laden sky and a dominant tree, conveying a dramatic, atmospheric effect characteristic of the Hudson River School's detailed naturalism. The formal qualities include the rendering of turbulent weather and the emphasis on natural elements such as trees and storm, reflecting the artist's focus on evocative landscape subjects.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1851 by Jasper Francis Cropsey, The Clove - A Storm Scene in the Catskill Mountains is an oil on canvas held in the permanent collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, under accession number 1946.494. The museum's records specify its medium as oil on canvas, with dimensions of 152.0 cm in height and 120.2 cm in width, and list the United States as the place of creation. While the artwork is currently part of the Cleveland institution's holdings, the available sources do not detail its prior provenance, acquisition date, or a record of its exhibition history.
Overview
Jasper Francis Cropsey's 1851 oil painting, "The Clove - A Storm Scene in the Catskill Mountains," captures a dramatic natural event. This landscape depicts a powerful storm unfolding over rugged terrain, characterized by a cascading waterfall and an illuminated, turbulent sky. The work exemplifies the artist's engagement with the American wilderness and his ability to convey its dynamic forces through paint.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jasper Francis Cropsey was an American architect and artist. He is best known for his Hudson River School landscape paintings.
