An Evening Halt - Emigrants Moving to the West in 1840

Amerikanische Malerei 1865–1870, 1867

The artwork depicts a scene of emigrants halting for the evening during their journey westward in 1840. Closest to us, several individuals, including women and children, are gathered around a campfire, engaged in activities like washing and tending to a fire. A man is drawing water from a small stream, while livestock, including cows and sheep, graze nearby. Beyond this group, a line of covered wagons stretches across the scene, with horses and oxen resting by them. In the distance, a vast landscape unfolds under a sky filled with clouds, painted with hues of pink and orange. The horizon is relatively low. The color palette is warm and earthy, with detailed brushwork capturing the textures of the animals, clothing, and landscape.
Artist
Amerikanische Malerei 1865–1870
Date
1867
Type
Painting
Medium
oil on canvas
Dimensions
101.6 × 177.8 cm
Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licence
Public domain, CC0

Image description

The artwork depicts a scene of emigrants halting for the evening during their journey westward in 1840. Closest to us, several individuals, including women and children, are gathered around a campfire, engaged in activities like washing and tending to a fire. A man is drawing water from a small stream, while livestock, including cows and sheep, graze nearby. Beyond this group, a line of covered wagons stretches across the scene, with horses and oxen resting by them. In the distance, a vast landscape unfolds under a sky filled with clouds, painted with hues of pink and orange. The horizon is relatively low. The color palette is warm and earthy, with detailed brushwork capturing the textures of the animals, clothing, and landscape.

Amerikanische Malerei 1865–1870