Outing on the Hudson

Dateca. 1875

MediumOil on cardboard

Dimensions18 3/4" x 24" (47.6 cm. x 61.0 cm.) unframed; 25" x 30 1/4" x 3 5/8" framed.

Credit LineFrom the collection of Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; gift of the Museum of Modern Art

Object number1932.101.4

DescriptionLandscape setting. People have boated across river for picnic. A river runs across the background, and green and blue mountains rise on the far side of the river. There is a town in the distance on the left side and smoke rises presumably industrial buildings. There are boats in river including sailing vessels and steamboats with paddle wheels. In right foreground, people dressed in period costume stroll around. The ladies dressed in blue, grey and brown dresses with green capes, and the men have beards and large mustaches. Women carry canes and fans, and parasols. Children play, fly a balloon, and play with dogs, and some of them rest against a large tree.
Label TextThe artist contrasts the idyllic nature of the foreground scene with a densely built, smoke-belching city in the distance at the left. The individuals on the lush green riverbank converse and sedately stroll about in small groups. Even the children and dogs seem to play quietly there, as if nature has had a calming influence on all those enjoying its favors.
ProvenanceFound in Woodstock, NY, and purchased by Mrs. Konrad Cramer; Mr. and Mrs. Elie Nadelman, Riverdale, NY; Edith Gregor Halpert, Downtown Gallery, New York, NY; acquired from Halpert by Abby Aldrich Rockefeller; given by the latter to the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY, in 1939; given by MoMA to CWF in June 195 (Mus. No. 512.39).

N. B. 6/25/2009: The provenance as given in AARFAM Paintings catalogue seems incorrect; the file needs to be checked regarding the Metropolitan Museum's involvement