Waterfall
Classification
landscapes
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Louis Cohen
Accession Number
1954-125-39
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
**Waterfall** by James Moser (Canadian, 1854–1913) invites visitors to immerse themselves in the timeless allure of nature, painted in 1880 when the artist was just 26 old. As a landscape work from the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection—generously gifted by Louis Cohen—this piece captures the dramatic essence of a cascading waterfall, a motif that resonated deeply in 19th-century art. Moser's Canadian roots place him amid a growing appreciation for North America's wild terrains, where artists sought to convey nature's grandeur and serenity. Though the medium remains under research, la...