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Tappan Zee, from Glenwood

John Williamson

American Art

This small-scale view of the Hudson River near John Williamson's home in Glenwood, New York, is typical of the sketchlike images that constitute much of his production. Williamson took the view looking north from his vantage point on the east side of the river, with the high cliffs of the western shore on the right and the relatively narrow, sail-studded passage of the Tappan Zee at the center of the scene. More ambitious painters of the period would have used this work as the starting point for larger and more highly developed and detailed compositions. Part of the appeal of the work for the modern eye is its fresh, sketchy appearance.

MEDIUM Oil on canvas
DATES 1872
DIMENSIONS 9 9/16 x 19 in. (24.3 x 48.3 cm) frame: 19 9/16 x 29 x 3 1/2 in. (49.7 x 73.7 x 8.9 cm)  (show scale)
SIGNATURE Signed lower left (initials in monogram): "8/1. 72JW"
INSCRIPTIONS Inscribed verso upper center: "Tappan Zee, from Glenwood--/8 mo/1.72./J.W."
COLLECTIONS American Art
ACCESSION NUMBER 47.197
CREDIT LINE Dick S. Ramsay Fund
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION John Williamson (American, 1826–1885). Tappan Zee, from Glenwood, 1872. Oil on canvas, 9 9/16 x 19 in. (24.3 x 48.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 47.197 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 47.197_bw.jpg)
IMAGE overall, 47.197_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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