Study of landscape
Classification
landscapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of the National Academy of Design from the Mrs. William T. Brewster Bequest
Accession Number
1953-179-60
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
William Trost Richards (1833–1905), a prominent American artist of the 19th century, created *Study of Landscape* in1867, a testament to his passion for depicting the American wilderness. Born in Philadelphia, Richards rose to prominence through his intricate renderings of nature, often drawing from direct observation during sketching trips. This work, classified as a landscape study, likely served as a preparatory piece, highlighting his commitment to precision and atmospheric detail an era when American artists were celebrating the nation's natural grandeur amid post-Civil War. As part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, the painting reflects the artistic exchanges of its time, gifted by the National Academy of Design through the Mrs. William T. Brewster Bequest. Studies like this were vital to Richards's process, allowing him to refine compositions before larger canvases. Though the medium remains unidentified amid ongoing research, its presence in the Smithsonian underscores its value in tracing the evolution of American landscape traditions. Visitors will appreciate how such modest studies reveal the artist's hand—patient, observant, and deeply attuned to light and form—offering a window into 19th-century artistic practice. (198 words)