Sketch from Mount Chocorua

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

**Sketch from Mount Chocor** *Daniel Huntington (American, 1816–1906), September 16 1862* on a crisp day in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, this sketch captures Daniel Huntington's keen eye for the American wilderness. Huntington, a prominent 19th-century artist trained at the National Academy of Design, was known for his contributions to the Hudson River School tradition, blending detailed realism with romantic reverence for nature. Dated precisely to September 16, 1862—amid the tumult of the Civil War—this on-site drawing reflects the era's escapist impulse, where artists sought solace and national identity in majestic landscapes like Mount Chocorua, a rugged peak celebrated in American art. As a quick landscape study, the work exemplifies Huntington's fluid technique in graphite or similar media, prioritizing composition and light over finish. Such sketches were vital preparatory tools for larger canvases, showcasing the artist's direct engagement with nature's grandeur. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection through the bequest of collector Erskine Hewitt, it offers a window into 19th-century plein air practices and the enduring appeal of New England's wild beauty. Research continues to uncover more about its journey, inviting visitors to ponder its personal story.