Artwork
The Mountain Ford
The Mountain Ford is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist Thomas Cole. It dates from 1846 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Technique & Style
As a landscape genre piece, the composition formally integrates natural elements such as mountains, rivers, and trees alongside a depiction of equestrianism.
The Mountain Ford, executed by Thomas Cole in 1846, is an oil painting on canvas. The work measures 71.8 centimetres in height and 101.8 centimetres in width. As a landscape genre piece, the composition formally integrates natural elements such as mountains, rivers, and trees alongside a depiction of equestrianism.
The painting is currently held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, classified under the American Wing.
History & Provenance
Thomas Cole executed The Mountain Ford in 1846 as an oil painting on canvas measuring 71.8 cm by 101.8 cm. The painting is held within the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, classified under the American Wing. No specific provenance, commission details, or exhibition records are documented in the available sources.
Overview
The Mountain Ford is an oil painting on canvas that presents a tranquil natural scene. The composition features a river flowing through a rugged mountain landscape, bordered by abundant trees and several horses. This artwork is part of the American Wing, indicating its inclusion within a collection dedicated to American art.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays a peaceful interlude within the wilderness, inviting viewers to reflect on the quiet majesty of nature. The depiction of horses by the water suggests a moment of harmony between wildlife and their surroundings, underscoring the serene and unspoiled character of the mountainous environment.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Cole (February 1, 1801 – February 11, 1848) was an Anglo-American artist who founded the Hudson River School art movement.
- Landscape—Scene from "Thanatopsis"
Landscape with Cows Watering in a Stream
Pastoral Landscape
The First Harvest in the Wilderness
A View of the Mountain Pass Called the Notch of the White Mountains (Crawford Notch)
High Point: Shandaken Mountains
The Catskills
The Backwoods of America
View on Lake George
Pioneer's Home, Eagle Cliff, White Mountains
Lakes and Mountains
A View of the Two Lakes and Mountain House, Catskill Mountains, Morning