Artwork
The Coolest Spot in New England - Summit of Mount Washington
The Coolest Spot in New England - Summit of Mount Washington is an ink print by the Impressionist artist American 19th Century. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a wood engraving printed on newsprint that depicts a small group of five figures gathered at the summit of a mountain.
About this work
Overview
The work is a wood engraving printed on newsprint that depicts a small group of five figures gathered at the summit of a mountain. Two women stand near the edge, one clutching a flag, while two men sit on the rocky ground. A third woman leans against a rock, gazing downward. The sky above is rendered with swirling lines that suggest wind and cold.
Subject & Meaning
The scene is identified as the highest point of Mount Washington, described in the title as the "coolest spot in New England," a reference to the mountain’s reputation for extreme low temperatures. The presence of a flag and the varied postures of the figures convey a sense of exploration and observation at a remote, inhospitable locale.
Technique & Style
Executed as a wood engraving, the image relies on sharply cut lines to delineate the texture of rock surfaces, clothing folds, and the turbulent sky. The use of newsprint as a substrate gives the print a rough, matte quality that accentuates the fine linear detail characteristic of the medium.
History & Provenance
The engraving is presented as a print, but no specific date, artist name, or acquisition details are provided in the source material. Consequently, its production context and subsequent ownership remain undocumented within the available information.
Artist & collection
Artist
This artist painted everyday American life in the 1800s. Look at *Farmhouse in Mahantango Valley*—a quiet, sunlit scene of rural Pennsylvania. *Boy and Girl* shows two children standing close, their faces turned toward…
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The Coolest Spot in New England - Summit of Mount Washington