Floor plan

East wing: The Nineteenth CenturyThe Hudson River School

The Hudson River School

The Rocky Mountains, Lander's Peak, by Albert Bierstadt, 1863
Mountains in Colorado, by John Frederick Kensett, 1870
AMERICAN PLAINS WITH MOUNTAIN RANGE IN THE DISTANCE
This painting shows a view looking out over a vast landscape. Most of the painting is circular, with a small part of the bottom bleeding out of the circle towards us. The top third of the circle shows a mountain range with a large purple peak in the distance. In front of the mountain is a faint rainbow. A body of water flows from in front of the mountain to the bottom of the painting, weaving in between shorter white peaks. Towards the bottom, the water appears to flow into small, layered pools of various bright colors including yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, and teal. The sky is a light blue-gray color. The background of the painting outside of the circle is plain paper.
This painting features a landscape with a calm body of water dominating the lower portion. The view is slightly elevated, overlooking the water that reflects the surrounding greenery and sky. Two white swans glide on the river, which is surrounded by green trees and shrubs. In the distance, a large tan castle with multiple towers and crenellations stands above the trees. In front of the castle, on the right side of the painting, a smaller structure with white walls and red roofs sits, surrounded by greenery. One or two people appear to sit out in front of it, and on the right sheep lay in the soft green grass. The color palette includes deep greens, soft browns, and varying shades of blue.
CENTURY PLANT, JAMAICA
The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey (study for series, The Cross and the World), by Thomas Cole, ca. 1846-1848

The works in this room are listed below.

Works in this room

American landscape painters of the mid-1800s who made wilderness their grand subject.

Section 1, north wall

  1. The Rocky Mountains, Lander's Peak, by Albert Bierstadt, 1863
    The Rocky Mountains, Lander's PeakAlbert Bierstadt, 1863Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Mountains in Colorado, by John Frederick Kensett, 1870
    Mountains in ColoradoJohn Frederick Kensett, 1870Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
  3. AMERICAN PLAINS WITH MOUNTAIN RANGE IN THE DISTANCE
    American Plains with Mountain Range in the DistanceThomas Moran, before 1872Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum

Section 1, south wall

  1. This painting shows a view looking out over a vast landscape. Most of the painting is circular, with a small part of the bottom bleeding out of the circle towards us. The top third of the circle shows a mountain range with a large purple peak in the distance. In front of the mountain is a faint rainbow. A body of water flows from in front of the mountain to the bottom of the painting, weaving in between shorter white peaks. Towards the bottom, the water appears to flow into small, layered pools of various bright colors including yellow, orange, red, pink, blue, and teal. The sky is a light blue-gray color. The background of the painting outside of the circle is plain paper.
    Minerva Terrace, YellowstoneThomas Moran, 1872Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  2. This painting features a landscape with a calm body of water dominating the lower portion. The view is slightly elevated, overlooking the water that reflects the surrounding greenery and sky. Two white swans glide on the river, which is surrounded by green trees and shrubs. In the distance, a large tan castle with multiple towers and crenellations stands above the trees. In front of the castle, on the right side of the painting, a smaller structure with white walls and red roofs sits, surrounded by greenery. One or two people appear to sit out in front of it, and on the right sheep lay in the soft green grass. The color palette includes deep greens, soft browns, and varying shades of blue.
    Warwick Castle, EnglandJasper Francis Cropsey, 1857Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington
  3. CENTURY PLANT, JAMAICA
    Century Plant, JamaicaFrederic Edwin Church, May–September 1865Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  4. The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey (study for series, The Cross and the World), by Thomas Cole, ca. 1846-1848
    The Pilgrim of the Cross at the End of His Journey (study for series, The Cross and the World)Thomas Cole, ca. 1846-1848Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 2, south wall

  1. The Parthenon, by Frederic Edwin Church, 1871
    The ParthenonFrederic Edwin Church, 1871Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. Niagara Falls by Moonlight, by Frederic Edwin Church, probably 1856
    Niagara Falls by MoonlightFrederic Edwin Church, probably 1856Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  3. Near Ariccia, Italy, by Sanford Robinson Gifford, 1868
    Near Ariccia, ItalySanford Robinson Gifford, 1868Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 2, north wall

  1. The Aegean Sea, by Frederic Edwin Church, ca. 1877
    The Aegean SeaFrederic Edwin Church, ca. 1877Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art
  2. The painting depicts a tranquil lake scene with a low horizon line showing a pale green hill in the background under a pale, cloudy sky. Closer to us, on the right, there is a large, textured rock surrounded by greenery and red flowers. In the distance, a wooden dock extends into the lake on the left, and a person wearing red appears to sit or stand with their back to us.
    Landing at Sabbath Day PointJohn Frederick Kensett, c. 1853Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington

Section 3, north wall

  1. View of Florence, by Thomas Cole, 1837
    View of FlorenceThomas Cole, 1837Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art
  2. Above Tower Falls, Yellowstone, by Thomas Moran, 1872
    Above Tower Falls, YellowstoneThomas Moran, 1872Courtesy of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Section 3, south wall

  1. MT. KATAHDIN FROM SOUTH TURNER MOUNTAIN, MAINE
    Mt. Katahdin from South Turner Mountain, MaineFrederic Edwin Church, 1877–78Courtesy of Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
  2. Twilight in the Wilderness, by Frederic Edwin Church, 1860
    Twilight in the WildernessFrederic Edwin Church, 1860Courtesy of the Cleveland Museum of Art