Who painted Hudson River Landing [recto]?

Hudson River Landing [recto] was painted by Alexander Robertson in 1796.

Where can I see Hudson River Landing [recto]?

Hudson River Landing [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Hudson River Landing [recto]?

Hudson River Landing [recto] is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Hudson River Landing [recto]

Alexander Robertson , 1796

Hudson River Landing [recto] is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Alexander Robertson. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Alexander Robertson’s drawing, dated 1796, depicts a modest riverside setting along the Hudson. Executed with pen in gray and black ink on a sheet of laid paper that appears to have been torn from a bound volume, the work measures a modest size and functions as a quick visual record rather than a finished composition.

Subject & Meaning

The scene presents a tranquil shoreline where a small wooden structure stands close to the water’s edge. Two vessels float nearby: a larger craft bearing a tall mast and a smaller boat with a curved sail. Scattered logs and a low fence line the bank, suggesting everyday activity at a modest landing.

Technique & Style

Robertson employs swift, light strokes, allowing the ink to suggest form with minimal detail. The use of cross‑hatching creates subtle tonal variation, especially in the water and the shadows of the buildings and boats. The torn, laid paper contributes a textured background that reinforces the drawing’s informal, sketch‑like character.

History & Provenance

Created in the late eighteenth century, the drawing is part of Robertson’s early output documenting American landscapes. The paper’s origin as a page torn from a book indicates it may have been a personal study or a preparatory note, later collected and preserved as a representative example of early American topographical drawing.