The Great Horseshoe Fall, Niagara

Alvan Fisher, The Great Horseshoe Fall, Niagara, 1820, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1966.82.1
Alvan Fisher, The Great Horseshoe Fall, Niagara, 1820, oil on canvas, 34 3848 in. (87.2122.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1966.82.1
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
The Great Horseshoe Fall, Niagara
Artist
Date
1820
Dimensions
34 3848 in. (87.2122.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — waterfall — Horseshoe Falls
  • Landscape — Canada — Niagara Falls
  • Landscape — waterfall — Niagara Falls
  • Landscape — phenomenon — rainbow
  • Figure group
Object Number
1966.82.1

Artwork Description

Two scenes by Fisher (this painting and Fisher's A General View of the Falls of Niagara) capture the thrill of visiting Niagara Falls, a site in upstate New York that quickly became a symbol of the continent's epic scale and natural beauty. Tiny figures throw out their arms as if trying to describe to one another the vastness of what they see. Elegant tourists peer decorously across the chasm through opera glasses, while one young lady covers her ears against the stupendous noise. Reckless young men lie on their stomachs, daring one another to draw closer to the rock's edge.

Exhibition Label, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 2006

Works by this artist (1 item)

Ercole Barovier, Nicolo Barovier, Mosaic Glass Goblet, ca. 1914-1928, blown and hot-worked glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.8.469.9
Mosaic Glass Goblet
Artist
attributed to Ercole Barovier
attributed to Nicolo Barovier
Dateca. 1914-1928
blown and hot-worked glass
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Preston Singletary, Safe Journey, 2021, cast and sand-carved glass on wooden pedestal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery and the 40th anniversary of the alliance, and museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2021.82A-C, © 2021, Preston Singletary
Safe Journey
Date2021
cast and sand-carved glass on wooden pedestal
On view
Marvin Oliver, Salish Clam Basket, 2008, glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sharon Karmazin, 2021.28
Salish Clam Basket
Date2008
glass
On view
Killer Whale Hat
Date2002
blown and sand carved glass
Not on view
Ché Rhodes, Untitled, 2007, glass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Merrily Orsini and Frederick Heath, 2021.57A-D
Untitled
Date2007
glass
On view