Mountain River or Lake
Medium
landscapes
Classification
landscapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Charles Savage Homer, Jr.
Accession Number
1913-18-4
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Winslow Homer, one of’s most celebrated 19th-century artists, created “Mountain River or Lake” in 1897, late in his career. Known for his realistic portrayals of the natural world Homer often turned to landscapes that conveyed both the grandeur and quiet intimacy of the American environment. This work reflects his mature interest in capturing light, atmosphere, and the subtle moods of wilderness settings. Housed in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the painting was generously donated by the artist’s brother, Charles Savage Homer, Jr. As research on the piece continues, it offers visitors a window into Homer’s enduring fascination with nature at a moment when the United States was rapidly industrializing. The landscape invites quiet contemplation, reminding us of the restorative power of the outdoors that Homer so masterfully preserved on canvas.