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In the Woods

1855
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 759
In this monumental painting, based on outdoor sketches made in New York’s Catskill Mountains during the summer of 1854, Durand focused on rendering the shadowy solitude of the deep woods. While the painting was on view at the National Academy of Design in 1855, the artist published his acclaimed "Letters on Landscape Painting." He wrote in evocative terms: "That is a fine picture which at once takes possession of you—draws you into it—you traverse it—breathe its atmosphere—feel its sunshine, and you repose in its shade without thinking of its design or execution, effect or color."

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: In the Woods
  • Artist: Asher Brown Durand (American, Jefferson, New Jersey 1796–1886 Maplewood, New Jersey)
  • Date: 1855
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 60 3/4 x 48 in. (154.3 x 121.9 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift in memory of Jonathan Sturges by his children, 1895
  • Object Number: 95.13.1
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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4350. In the Woods

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Proof of one side of a New York Merchants Banking Company 100 Dollar Bill, Asher Brown Durand American, Engraving; proof
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Proofs of Bank of New York One Dollar Bill and Two Dollar Bill, Asher Brown Durand American, Engraving; proof
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