Passing off of the Storm

Art Historical Context

John Frederick Kensett's *Passing off of the Storm* (1872) captures a luminous moment of tranquility on the American coast, just as turbulent skies yield to golden light. Painted in oil on canvas, this intimate 11⅜ × 24½-inch work exemplifies Kensett's mastery as a leading figure in the Luminist branch of the Hudson River School Active in the mid-19th century,ett drew inspiration from New England shores, translating nature's subtle shifts into serene seascapes that evoke quiet awe. Kensett's technique shines in his precise, almost invisible brushwork, which builds ethereal atmospheres through layered glazes and a cool-to-warm palette. Here, receding storm clouds frame becalmed boats on glassy waters, highlighting Luminism's focus on divine light piercing the horizon—a signature motif symbolizing harmony between humanity and the sublime American wilderness. Completed the year of Kensett's death, it reflects his late-career refinement toward emotional stillness amid nature's drama. Acquired as a gift from Thomas Kensett in 1874 and housed in The Met's American Wing, this piece underscores the era's growing appreciation for native landscape art. Visitors will appreciate its meditative power, inviting reflection on resilience after turmoil.

About the Artist

John Frederick Kensett · 1816–1872

John Frederick Kensett (1816–1872) was one of the most admired American landscape painters of the nineteenth century, a central figure of the Hudson River School whose late work pioneered the atmospheric, light-saturated style now known as Luminism. Born in Cheshire, Connecticut, into a family of engravers, Kensett learned the craft of engraving in his youth, a discipline that gave him an early tr...