Rhine, from Caub
Medium
Drawing
Classification
Drawing
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Carolann Smurthwaite in memory of her mother, Caroline Atherton Connell Smurthwaite
Accession Number
1983.83.125
Tags
Art Historical Context
George Elbert Burr's *Rhine, from Caub* (1900) captures a serene vista of the Rhine River as seen from the German town of Caub, with its rugged mountains framing the scene. Created at the turn of the 20th century, this reflects Burr's fascination with dramatic landscapes during his travels in Europe. An American artist renowned for his atmospheric etchings and tonalist style—emphasizing subtle light effects and mood—this work showcases his skill in rendering nature's grandeur on a more intimate scale. As a drawing, the piece likely served as a direct study from life, highlighting Burr's preci...
About the Artist
George Elbert Burr
George Elbert Burr was an American printmaker and watercolorist whose career spanned the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, earning him a reputation as one of the foremost etchers of the American West. Born in 1859 in Monroe Falls, Ohio, Burr trained as a commercial illustrator before turning his full attention to fine art. He honed his craft through diligent self-study and close obser...