Gold Mining, Cripple Creek

Ernest Lawson, Gold Mining, Cripple Creek, 1929, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Henry Ward Ranger through the National Academy of Design, 1949.10.2
Ernest Lawson, Gold Mining, Cripple Creek, 1929, oil on canvas, 4050 18 in. (101.6127.4 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Henry Ward Ranger through the National Academy of Design, 1949.10.2
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
Gold Mining, Cripple Creek
Date
1929
Dimensions
4050 18 in. (101.6127.4 cm)
Credit Line
Bequest of Henry Ward Ranger through the National Academy of Design
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — mountain
  • Architecture — industry — mine
  • Landscape — Colorado
  • Landscape — bird’s eye view
  • Landscape — river — Cripple Creek
Object Number
1949.10.2

Artwork Description

Ernest Lawson chose to crop the view of Cripple Creek Mining Camp in Colorado so that the craggy mountain overpowers the space. When Lawson came west from New York City, he had trouble with the vastly different landscape, and complained that "he couldn't feel the place, . . . it was too bleak [and] forbidding." He fought against the dizziness and shortness of breath brought on by Colorado's high altitudes, and crafted numerous scenes of the dramatic landscape. This painting won Lawson a prize at the National Academy of Design, the last major award of his career. (Leeds, Ernest Lawson, 2000)

Works by this artist (3 items)

Ray Strong, San Francisco from Russian Hill, ca. 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1974.89.9
San Francisco from Russian Hill
Dateca. 1934
oil on canvas
On view
Ray Strong, San Francisco from Russian Hill, ca. 1933-1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of Labor, 1964.1.102
San Francisco from Russian Hill
Dateca. 1933-1934
oil on canvas
Not on view
Ray Strong, Golden Gate Bridge, 1934, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1965.18.50
Golden Gate Bridge
Date1934
oil on canvas
Not on view

Related Posts

Media - 1949.10.2 - SAAM-1949.10.2_1 - 1143
The author looks at Ernest Lawson's painting, "Gold Mining, Cripple Creek," with the environment in mind.
Michaela Rife

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