Who painted On the Hudson River?

On the Hudson River was painted by Alexander Robertson in 1798.

Where can I see On the Hudson River?

On the Hudson River is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is On the Hudson River?

On the Hudson River is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

On the Hudson River

Alexander Robertson , 1798

On the Hudson River is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Alexander Robertson. It dates from 1798 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Alexander Robertson’s 1798 drawing, On the Hudson River, is executed in pen and black ink on laid paper. The composition presents a tranquil riverscape, anchored by a solitary tree whose branches extend leftward while its trunk occupies the right side of the picture plane.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a quiet stretch of the Hudson River flanked by distant hills, suggesting a harmonious relationship between the natural landscape and the viewer’s gaze. The solitary tree may serve as a focal point, emphasizing the solitude and contemplative mood typical of early American landscape art.

Technique & Style

Robertson employs varied line weights, dense hatching, and cross‑hatching to convey texture, depth, and atmospheric perspective. The interplay of light and shadow, rendered through these linear techniques, creates a sense of volume and distance, aligning the piece with the Romantic emphasis on emotional resonance and the sublime in nature.

History & Provenance

Created in 1798, the drawing belongs to the early period of American Romantic landscape drawing. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has been catalogued as part of Robertson’s oeuvre, illustrating his engagement with the Hudson River Valley during a time when the region was a popular subject for artists exploring national identity through nature.