Mohonk, 1871 (from Sketchbook)

Art Historical Context

Nestled in the serene Hudson Valley tradition, *Mohonk, 1871 (from Sketchbook)* captures natural beauty of Lake Mohonk, a picturesque site in New York’s Shawangunk Mountains. Created around 1870 by Daniel Huntington, a American artist and president of the National Academy of, this intimate graphite drawing exemplifies the Hudson River School's reverence for the American wilderness. Huntington, known for his luminous landscapes and historical paintings, often sketched en plein air to study light, form, and atmosphere before translating them into larger oils. Rendered on a modest 5½ x 8¾-inch sheet of paper, the work showcases graphite's versatility as a medium for quick, expressive studies. The soft pencil lines evoke the rolling hills, misty waters, and rugged terrain of Mohonk, highlighting Huntington's keen observation and fluid technique. Such sketchbook pages reveal the artist's creative process, bridging raw fieldwork with studio refinement—a hallmark of 19th-century American Romanticism. Housed in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, this gift from S.B. Luyster in 1936 offers visitors a glimpse into Huntington's world, where nature's grandeur inspired national pride during America's Gilded Age expansion. A delightful window into everyday artistry amid majestic scenery!

About the Artist

Daniel Huntington · 1816–1906

Daniel Huntington (1816–1906) was born into a prominent New York family on October 4, 1816, descending from distinguished New England lineage. His early education began at age fourteen at Smith's Academy in New Haven, followed by Yale College, where he studied with Samuel F. B. Morse, the inventor, artist, and president of the National Academy of Design, in 1835. After a disciplinary incident invo...