Boston Harbor

Charles Manger, Boston Harbor, ca. 1860-1869, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. George Viault, 1970.183
Copied Charles Manger, Boston Harbor, ca. 1860-1869, oil on canvas, 24 1⁄8 x 40 1⁄8 in. (61.2 x 102.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. George Viault, 1970.183
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Boston Harbor
Artist
Date
ca. 1860-1869
Location
Dimensions
24 1⁄8 x 40 1⁄8 in. (61.2 x 102.0 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. George Viault
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Waterscape — harbor — Boston Harbor
  • Landscape — Massachusetts — Boston
  • Travel — water — ship
Object Number
1970.183
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1970.183

Artwork Description

In this painting of Boston Harbor in the 1860s, a ship carrying a passenger sits in the center, while an assortment of seafaring vessels dots the hazy horizon. In the foreground, birds fly low among waves that reflect the colors of the sky. Manger’s use of glowing light and smooth brushstrokes was a popular approach among American landscape painters at the time. This work was completed around the time of the American Civil War when Boston Harbor served as a training camp and coastal defense for the Union army.