Romantic Landscape1830–1899Sheet: 15 7/8 x 20 " (40.3 x 50.8 cm)
Frame: 17 1/2 x 21 1/2 " (44.5 x 54.6 cm)Watercolor on paperGift of Cyril Irwin Nelson in memory of his grandparents, Guerdon Stearns and Elinor Irwin (Chase) Holden, and in honor of his parents, Cyril Arthur and Elise Macy Nelson1983.29.301531501374Artist unidentifiedDrawingsThe American Folk Art Museum believes this work to be in the public domain. Vicinity of SturbridgeVicinity of SturbridgeUnited StatesMassachusettsPaintings
Vicinity of SturbridgeThe early 19th century saw an awakening American interest in portraying landscapes. This interest was manifested in many ways, from painted overmantles which might depict an actual surrounding area, to the romantic outpourings of the ladie's academic scene. The tastes and accomplishments encouraged through ladies' academies and seminarieswere consistent with the prevailing air of romanticism of the late 18th/early 19th century. This romanticism was evident in all areas of art and fashion that affected young women, from their costume to their needlework. The leitmotiv of crumbling ruins of castles particularly intrigued the American romantic appetite and young women stitched, painted and drew romantic landscapes of ruined castles and running waters as school exercises and finished pieces. The images were frequently based on imaginary landscapes or actual English ruins, disseminated through popular prints that might be suppled or adapted by a schoolmistress.PAINTING18301899 1983 29 3 The early 19th century saw an awakening American interest in portraying landscapes. This interest was manifested in many ways, from painted overmantles which might depict an actual surrounding area, to the romantic outpourings of the ladie's academic scene. The tastes and accomplishments encouraged through ladies' academies and seminarieswere consistent with the prevailing air of romanticism of the late 18th/early 19th century. This romanticism was evident in all areas of art and fashion that affected young women, from their costume to their needlework. The leitmotiv of crumbling ruins of castles particularly intrigued the American romantic appetite and young women stitched, painted and drew romantic landscapes of ruined castles and running waters as school exercises and finished pieces. The images were frequently based on imaginary landscapes or actual English ruins, disseminated through popular prints that might be suppled or adapted by a schoolmistress.PAINTING