American Paintings 1750–1900 | National Gallery of Art

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Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

Open 10:00–5:00

Visit
Open today 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Admission is always free

6th and Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20565

Sculpture Garden Extended Hours

Open late until 8:00 p.m. on select nights
Through September 5
Exhibitions & Events
America’s 250th

Celebrating American art and artists
Art & Artists
Open Call

Artists Reimagining the Collection
Meet the 50 makers selected from more than 1,600 submissions

American Paintings 1750–1900

On View: West Building, Main Floor

173 artworks on view.

Slightly below us and at a distance, water gently laps at sandy beach that curves alongside massive, craggy outcroppings in this panoramic horizontal landscape painting. Scrubby grass and low-slung trees dot an area of gray rocks in the lower left corner of the painting. A vivid yellow and black insect lands on a nearly horizontal tree trunk close to us, and two women sit and stand on the rocks farther out. One wears a red shirt and holds a narrow yellow parasol, and the other wears a lilac-purple, full-skirted dress and a yellow cap. The outcroppings rise vertically just beyond the women. Dark green plants grow along a ridge to the left. The remains of logs or beams and perhaps cloth is near the breaking surf of the beach, at the bottom center of the painting. The beach curves in a C-shape and then turns back to create a point just beyond the outcroppings. The white sails of a few boats sit on the slate-blue water, which reaches back to the hazy horizon, which is about halfway up the composition. A few spots of bright white or gray clouds dot the otherwise washed out, ivory-white sky above. The artist signed and dated the lower left corner, “A.T. Bricher 1873.”

A Quiet Day near Manchester

Alfred Thompson Bricher

1873

Oil on canvas Accession ID 2008.66.1

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M67

About two dozen round, pale green plums tumble out of an upended square wooden box onto a reflective, dark brown surface in this horizontal still life painting. Many of the plums have a frosty sheen and about half of them lie in a pile within the basket. The other dozen spill out of the box onto the wood tabletop. Most have stubby stems, and one, closest to us, has a longer stem with two browning leaves. The leaves and round fruit create reflections on the polished wood surface. The box was made by weaving broad sheets of light wood into a square. The layers are visible along the upper edge, which faces us. There are a few dark spots and imperfections in the wood. An ice-blue cloth hangs behind the box and crinkles in folds along the table. The artist signed the work in the lower right, “J.Decker.”

Green Plums

Joseph Decker

c. 1885

Oil on canvas Accession ID 1994.59.4

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M69

More than three dozen pears clustered densely on leafy branches against a vivid blue sky fill this long, horizontal painting. Most of the pears are golden yellow and touched with blush pink on one side. Pieces of fruit hanging closer to the corners of the composition are darker green. The long leaves have smooth edges that come to points at both ends. Three wasps dig into a pear that looks partially devoured near the bottom center of the composition, and some of the leaves in that area have brown spots or holes. The artist signed the painting near the lower left corner, “J. Decker.”

Ripening Pears

Joseph Decker

c. 1884/1885

Oil on canvas Accession ID 2004.29.1

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M69

This painting is a still life featuring several objects arranged in a line. On the far left is a red apple with its stem toward us. Next to it is a transparent glass goblet with a hint of golden liquid inside. To the right of the glass is a blue plate with a large yellow apple next to what look like dark red dates or raisins. Resting beside the plate is a thin brown twig with green leaves. Farthest to the right is a small round yellow cake with white frosting, decorated with a pink dot in the center of the frosting and four green ovals around it. The surface these objects rest on is light gray, and they cast dark shadows, indicating light coming from the left. The wall behind the objects is mostly black, which transitions into a lighter gray color on the far-right side of the painting.

Still Life with Apples, Sherry, and Tea Cake

Raphaelle Peale

1822

Oil on wood Accession ID 2014.18.35

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M69

The painting features a large slice of yellow cake, a halved lemon, a glass of pale-yellow liquid with a slice of lemon and a straw in it, and a white plate filled with red raspberries. The objects are placed on a white tablecloth with the raspberries to the left, the lemon and cake in the center, and the glass to the right. The wall behind the objects is a teal blue on the right which fades to black towards the left edge.

Still Life with Cake, Lemon, Strawberries, and Glass

John Frederick Peto

1890

Oil on canvas Accession ID 2014.18.37

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M69

This sculpture is a large ceramic jar. It is made from brown, glazed material with a glossy finish. The jar is cylindrical with a wide opening at the top and two small, rounded handles near the rim. There are carved lines of text or markings around the upper portion of the jar near the rim.

Storage Jar

David Drake

1859

Alkaline-glazed stoneware Accession ID 2023.2.1

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M65

The sculpture is a relief depicting a reclining figure. The figure is shown in a dynamic pose, draped in flowing garments. The figure's arm is outstretched, with a slightly bent leg. The sculpture is made of a light beige or off-white material, likely plaster. The relief is a section with a curved top edge and rectangular shape. The figure's facial features, drapery, and hair are detailed with a smooth finish, contrasting with the textured background. The piece is mounted on a white surface.

Early Study of the Allegorical Figure for The Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

late 1880s

Plaster Accession ID X.15366

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M66

The sculpture depicts a scene of a mounted figure on a horse in mid-stride. Surrounding the central figure are several more figures in various positions. The composition is in low relief, causing the subjects to subtly rise from the background. The material appears to be a white, stone-like substance, giving it a monochromatic and smooth finish. The sculpture is a rectangular slab with a curved top. At the base of the slab, there is a small additional sculpture of an animal integrated into the relief. The level of detail is moderate, where figures are identifiable but not intricately finished, creating a sense of an archaic or primitive style.

Preliminary Study for The Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

1883

Plaster Accession ID X.15232

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M66

The sculpture is a bust representing a human head with detailed facial features, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. The subject appears to be wearing a cap. The sculpture is made of bronze with a developed patina, giving it a greenish hue. The head is mounted on a plain rectangular base, elevating it to eye level for clear observation.

Study Head of a Black Soldier

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

1883/1893

Plaster Accession ID X.15226

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M66

Study Head of a Black Soldier

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

1883/1893

Plaster Accession ID X.15227

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M66

Study Head of a Black Soldier

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

1883/1893

Plaster Accession ID X.15228

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M66

Study Head of a Black Soldier

Augustus Saint-Gaudens

1883/1893

Plaster Accession ID X.15229

On View: West Building Main Floor, Gallery M66