In the Woods

Asher Brown Durand

1855 · Oil on canvas · The American Wing

In this monumental painting, based on outdoor sketches made in New York’s Catskill Mountains during the summer of 1854, Durand focused on rendering the shadowy solitude of the deep woods. While the painting was on view at the National Academy of Design in 1855, the artist published his acclaimed "Letters on Landscape Painting." He wrote in evocative terms: "That is a fine picture which at once takes possession of you—draws you into it—you traverse it—breathe its atmosphere—feel its sunshine, and you repose in its shade without thinking of its design or execution, effect or color."

Artist

Asher Brown Durand

Date

1855

Medium

Oil on canvas

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift in memory of Jonathan Sturges by his children, 1895