Artwork
Salt Meadow in October
Salt Meadow in October is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist John Frederick Kensett. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
The composition balances expansive sky with a grounded foreground, using muted ochres and greens to convey seasonal stillness.
Salt Meadow in October is an oil painting executed on canvas, reflecting Kensett’s mature Hudson River School approach that combines precise natural observation with a softened, atmospheric palette. The work employs thin, layered brushstrokes to render the late‑autumn foliage and the subtle gradations of light across the meadow, while the canvas support provides a smooth surface that enhances the delicate tonal transitions. The composition balances expansive sky with a grounded foreground, using muted ochres and greens to convey seasonal stillness.
The painting’s condition remains stable, with the original varnish largely intact, allowing the formal qualities of line, color, and spatial depth to be examined directly.
History & Provenance
Salt Meadow in October, an 1872 oil-on-canvas landscape by John Frederick Kensett, is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work is classified within the museum's American Wing and measures 45.7 by 76.2 centimeters. The provided sources confirm its location at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its inception date of 1872, but they do not supply a specific accession number, inventory designation, or any record of past exhibitions.
Overview
John Frederick Kensett's Salt Meadow in October, an oil on canvas from 1872, presents a serene American landscape. This painting captures a tranquil expanse of marshland under a muted sky, characteristic of the artist's later works. It reflects a contemplative approach to natural scenery, emphasizing the subtle beauty of the autumnal environment.
Subject & Meaning
The artwork depicts a hushed marshland scene, where pale gold and soft green grasses stretch beneath a gentle, overcast sky. A subtle reflection of light on water adds depth to the composition. While the overall impression is one of profound tranquility, the painting also conveys an underlying sense of impermanence, perhaps echoing the artist's own awareness of life's fleeting nature.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Frederick Kensett was an American landscape painter and engraver born in Cheshire, Connecticut.
