Artwork

Landscape

Landscape, by William Morris Hunt, oil, 1852
Landscape, by William Morris Hunt, oil, 1852

Landscape is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist William Morris Hunt. It dates from 1852 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Men and dogs move through an open landscape, painted in simple, muted colors. Hunt kept the scene calm, leaning on darker shadows to build a sense of depth. It dates from 1852, when many painters were trying out new techniques.

Subject & Meaning

The artist’s rendering captures both the physical environment and the interaction between the subjects, offering insight into contemporary artistic concerns.

The painting presents a scene that combines human figure and animal within a natural setting. According to the catalog entry, the work depicts a man and a dog amid a landscape, situating the human subject within a broader environmental context. The composition aligns with the genre of landscape painting, emphasizing the surrounding terrain while incorporating narrative elements through the presence of the figure and the dog.

The depiction reflects an 19th‑century interest in integrating human activity with pastoral scenery, as recorded in the museum’s documentation. The artist’s rendering captures both the physical environment and the interaction between the subjects, offering insight into contemporary artistic concerns.

Technique & Style

Landscape by William Morris Hunt is executed in oil on pressboard, which is then mounted on wood, providing a rigid support for the painted surface. The modest dimensions of the composition, measuring 31.8 by 49.5 centimeters, indicate an intimate, horizontally oriented format suited to the landscape genre. Hunt's handling of the oil medium on this unconventional support reflects a mid-nineteenth-century practice of adapting available materials for portable landscape studies.

The work depicts a man and a dog within a natural setting, consistent with the genre conventions of the period. Held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing collection, the painting demonstrates Hunt's engagement with landscape subject matter during the early 1850s, when he was active as a painter working in the United States and Europe.

History & Provenance

The oil painting titled Landscape was created by William Morris Hunt in 1852. Executed in oil on pressboard mounted on wood, the work measures 31.8 centimeters in height and 49.5 centimeters in width. It currently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is housed within The American Wing.

The piece depicts a man and a dog set against a landscape background. While the specific details regarding its original commission or the precise chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the museum are not detailed in the provided records, the work's inception is firmly dated to 1852. The painting represents an example of American landscape art from the mid-nineteenth century held in a major public institution.

The painting Landscape (1852) by William Morris Hunt is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, listed in the department known as The American Wing. It is recorded in the museum’s catalogue as an oil on pressboard mounted on wood, measuring 31.8 × 49.5 cm. The work’s accession number has not been publicly disclosed in the sources consulted. Exhibition records are not mentioned in the available documentation, indicating that the piece has not been featured in publicly listed exhibitions within the scope of the referenced materials.

Legacy

The painting is recognized as an important example of 19th‑century American landscape, reflected in its inclusion in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and its documented presence in the museum’s collection. Its status as a work by William Morris Hunt, recorded in both the museum’s internal catalogue and Wikidata, has established it as a reference point for studies of American genre painting and has contributed to the ongoing scholarly appreciation of Hunt’s role in shaping the genre. The work’s dimensions and iconography, noted in the catalogue, continue to inform exhibitions and academic discussion of mid‑century American art.

Overview

This painting, titled Landscape, depicts a serene outdoor scene featuring men and dogs. Executed in oil on pressboard mounted on wood, the work is characterized by its use of a restrained color palette. It forms part of The American Wing collection, reflecting a particular aesthetic approach to depicting natural environments.

Shepherd and Shepherdess (Le Berger et la bergere)
Shepherd and Shepherdess (Le Berger et la bergere), Charles François Daubigny

Artist & collection

Portrait of William Morris Hunt

Artist

William Morris Hunt

William Morris Hunt (March 31, 1824 – September 8, 1879) was an American painter.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Landscape?

Landscape was painted by William Morris Hunt in ca. 1852–53.

Where can I see Landscape?

Landscape is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Landscape?

Landscape is associated with American Folk Art.