In the Woods, Jamaica
May–September 1865
Classification
landscapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Louis P. Church
Accession Number
1917-4-672-c
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Frederic Edwin Church, a leading figure in the Hudson River School of American landscape painting, created *In the Woods, Jamaica between May and September 186. This work captures the lush, tropical environment of Jamaica, reflecting Church's fascination with exotic natural wonders beyond his native United States. As one of the 19th century's most celebrated artists, Church often drew from personal travels to depict sublime landscapes that evoked awe and the divine order of nature, blending meticulous observation with romantic idealism. Painted during the immediate aftermath of the American C...