Catskill Mountains

1870

During the mid-19th century, the Catskill Mountains were America’s premiere tourist site. Inness’s painting of the area depicts a land tamed by human presence. The church, the carefully tended fields, and the hayrick are all finely delineated, reflecting Inness’s early style. The artist’s reverent handling of color and light has been linked to his interest in Swedenborgian spirituality, but it also relates to his love for this particular region.

Public domain · CC0
Free to download and reuse. Image courtesy of Art Institute of Chicago.

Artist

George Inness (American, 1825–1894)

Date

1870

Medium

Oil on canvas

Dimensions

123.8 × 184.5 cm (48 3/4 × 72 5/8 in.)

Origin

United States

Collection

Art Institute of Chicago

Credit

Edward B. Butler Collection