Who painted Tree of Temperance?

Tree of Temperance was painted by American 19th Century in 1848.

Where can I see Tree of Temperance?

Tree of Temperance is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Tree of Temperance?

Tree of Temperance is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Tree of Temperance

American 19th Century , 1848

Tree of Temperance is an ink print by the Romanticist artist American 19th Century. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Tree of Temperance is a hand‑colored lithographic print that depicts a broad‑trunked tree laden with multicolored, round fruits. Each fruit bears a single word—such as “Happiness,” “Health,” and “Prosperance”—suggesting a visual catalogue of desirable life conditions. A modest house and a few figures appear in the background, grounding the scene in a domestic landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif of the tree functions as an allegorical device, with the labeled fruits symbolising various virtues or blessings. By presenting these concepts as tangible, harvestable objects, the work invites contemplation of the relationship between nature, abundance, and human well‑being.

Technique & Style

Executed as a lithograph, the image combines the reproducible qualities of printmaking with hand‑applied colour, giving each fruit a distinct hue. The composition balances detailed line work with a softer, painted surface, reflecting the decorative yet narrative tendencies common to late‑18th‑century illustrative prints.

History & Provenance

The piece originates from the period when hand‑colored lithography was popular for disseminating moral and educational imagery. Specific details about its creator, date of production, or ownership trail are not provided in the source material.

Context

Although not directly linked to a single artistic movement, the work’s allegorical content and sentimental tone align with the broader Romantic interest in nature as a conduit for moral and emotional expression.

Artist & collection

Artist

American 19th Century

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…