An artwork on Galleree from The Art Institute of Chicago.
About the artwork
Hillside with TreesWilliam Morris Hunt
American, 1824–1879
1872–78
Boston
30.6 × 40.6 cm (12 1/16 × 16 in.)
Oil on canvas
Through prior acquisition of the Friends of American Art Collection
['painting', 'american arts']
['oil paint (paint)', 'organic material']
In the gentle embrace of a hillside, William Morris Hunt captures a moment suspended in time, where nature breathes in quietude. The tall trees stand sentinel, their slender forms reaching heavenward, as if whispering secrets to the soft whispers of the breeze. The earth beneath—rich with muted colors—invites the viewer to wander, to linger in its serene presence.
There’s a reflective stillness in this landscape, a tranquil dialogue between the browns and greens that weave together the fabric of the scene. The sky, clad in tender hues, cradles the horizon, suggesting the day’s soft surrender to twilight. One can almost hear the rustle of leaves, the delicate dance of nature as it prepares for rest.
In Hunt's brushstrokes, we find an invitation to introspection; the simplicity of the hillside reveals profound truths, urging the soul to pause, to breathe in the beauty of existence. Here, in this haven of peace, time seems to dissolve, leaving us with a sense of belonging to the world, a reminder of the harmony that lies within nature’s embrace.
About the artist
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