Clearing Off

Image Not Available
John Frederick Kensett, Clearing Off, ca. 1865, oil on canvas, 25 5⁄8 × 35 3⁄8 × 3 1⁄4 in. (65.1 × 89.9 × 8.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Robert and Margaret Hazen, 2024.22
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Artwork Details

Title
Clearing Off
Artist
Date
ca. 1865
Location
Dimensions
25 5⁄8 × 35 3⁄8 × 3 1⁄4 in. (65.1 × 89.9 × 8.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Robert and Margaret Hazen
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — coast
  • Landscape — weather — cloud
  • Landscape — rocks
Object Number
2024.22
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2024.22

Artwork Description

A storm blows through this Civil War--era coastal landscape, turning the water a dark steely gray. John Frederick Kensett's dramatic vantage point places the viewer low in the scrub amid the boulders. A striking drift of red wildflowers in the front center catches the light and glistens like fresh blood, a subtle reference to the ongoing political conflict. 

Works by this artist (10 items)

View all artworks
Joseph C. Claghorn, (Nude Woman Fixing Her Hair), n.d., steel-faced copper etching plate, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Constance Claghorn, 1971.100
(Nude Woman Fixing Her Hair)
Artist
Daten.d.
steel-faced copper etching plate
Not on view
Joseph C. Claghorn, A Florida Park, before 1935, oil on canvas mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Joseph C. Claghorn, 1970.320
A Florida Park
Artist
Datebefore 1935
oil on canvas mounted on paperboard
Not on view
Joseph C. Claghorn, The United States Capitol, ca. 1930-1939, drypoint on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Constance Claghorn, 1971.93
The United States Capitol
Artist
Dateca. 1930-1939
drypoint on paper
Not on view
Joseph C. Claghorn, On Deerfield Street (Old House at Deerfield), n.d., etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Constance Claghorn, 1971.94
On Deerfield Street (Old House at Deerfield)
Artist
Daten.d.
etching on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Edward Sachse, Smithsonian Institute, ca. 1855, hand-colored lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Al Marzorini in honor of Harry Lowe, 2019.23
Smithsonian Institute
Artist
Dateca. 1855
hand-colored lithograph
Not on view
Image Not Available
Marching As to War
Artist
Daten.d.
color etching
Not on view
Image Not Available
Pharoh’s Horses
Artist
Unidentified (British)
Daten.d.
engraving
Not on view
Image Not Available
(Famous Paintings, portfolio) A Pathetic Ballad
Artist
Daten.d.
Not on view