Artwork
East River
East River is an oil painting by the Ashcan School artist Samuel Halpert. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting East River, executed by Samuel Halpert in 1913, portrays a vessel navigating the eponymous river, using the waterway as both setting and motif.
The painting East River, executed by Samuel Halpert in 1913, portrays a vessel navigating the eponymous river, using the waterway as both setting and motif. By focusing on the river and its traffic, the work foregrounds the East River’s role as a central artery of New York’s commerce and movement in the early twentieth century. Rendered in oil on canvas, the composition captures the urban waterfront with a modest scale of 76.5 cm by 86.7 cm, emphasizing the everyday presence of the river in the artist’s environment. The subject thus reflects the river’s significance as a conduit for industry and daily life.
Technique & Style
East River is executed in oil paint on canvas, a standard medium-and-support pairing for early twentieth-century easel painting. The work is classified as a painting and measures 76.5 cm in height by 86.7 cm in width, giving it a modestly horizontal format suited to its subject of the river and a ship. The use of oil allows for the layered handling typical of post-impressionist-influenced practice, though the surviving documentation does not specify brushwork, palette, or condition.
The canvas is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it has been accessioned as a 1913 work by Samuel Halpert. No further technical notes on support preparation, paint application, surface condition, or stylistic classification are recorded in the available sources.
History & Provenance
Samuel Halpert created the oil-on-canvas painting East River in 1913. The work depicts a river scene featuring a ship and was executed using oil paint on canvas. It is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
No specific details regarding a commission, previous owners, or the precise circumstances of its creation are provided in the available records.
Overview
Samuel Halpert's "East River," an oil painting from 1913, captures a vibrant scene of the waterway. This work is part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It presents a dynamic view of the river, populated by various vessels and structures, reflecting the industrial character of the area during the early 20th century.
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