Artwork
Evening in the Woods
Evening in the Woods is an oil painting by the Hudson River School artist Worthington Whittredge. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 05.13.10
- Credit line
- Bequest of Henry H. Cook, 1905
About this work
Subject & Meaning
Evening in the Woods (1876) by Worthington Whittredge portrays a quiet, twilight forest wherein a solitary tree dominates the composition, a motif that signals the transition between day and night. The work, classified as a landscape within the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, employs oil on canvas to render the subtle play of light and shadow among the foliage. By emphasizing the solitary tree against a dimming sky, Whittredge conveys a contemplative mood that reflects on the fleeting beauty of nature and the quietude of the American wilderness.
Technique & Style
The piece belongs to The American Wing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as an oil painting on canvas.
The work titled Evening in the Woods, painted by Worthington Whittredge in 1876, is an oil on canvas landscape measuring roughly 107.5 cm in height and 91.7 cm in width. It portrays a solitary tree within a woodland setting, a composition typical of 19th‑century American landscape genre. The piece belongs to The American Wing collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is catalogued as an oil painting on canvas.
Formal analysis notes the emphasis on naturalistic rendering of foliage and atmospheric depth, reflecting the artist’s approach to plein‑air landscape depiction. Condition details are not specified in the available documentation.
History & Provenance
Evening in the Woods is an oil on canvas landscape painting executed by the American artist Worthington Whittredge. The work was created in 1876. Since its inception, the painting has been held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains located within the institution's American Wing.
The available records confirm the artist, date, medium, and current museum ownership, though specific details regarding an original commission or intermediate owners between creation and museum acquisition are not provided in the current documentation.
Context
Evening in the Woods (1876) is an oil‑on‑canvas landscape by Worthington Whittredge that portrays a solitary tree within a forested scene. The work measures 107.5 cm × 91.7 cm and is classified as a landscape painting in The American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it resides in the museum’s collection. As part of Whittredge’s mature output, the piece exemplifies the American Hudson River School’s interest in naturalistic representation and the subtle atmospheric effects of light. Its inclusion in the museum’s catalogue underscores its significance within 19th‑century American landscape painting.
Overview
Worthington Whittredge's "Evening in the Woods," painted in 1876, is an oil on canvas work that exemplifies his contributions to American landscape painting. As an artist associated with the Hudson River School, Whittredge frequently depicted natural scenes, capturing the serene beauty of the American wilderness. This particular piece showcases a quiet woodland setting, characteristic of his mature style and subject matter.
Artist & collection
Artist
Thomas Worthington Whittredge (May 22, 1820 – February 25, 1910) was an American artist of the Hudson River School.
