Artwork
View of the Second Falls on the Sawkill River
View of the Second Falls on the Sawkill River is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist John Rubens Smith. It dates from 1840 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
John Rubens Smith’s watercolor drawing titled View of the Second Falls on the Sawkill River dates to around 1840. Executed on wove paper with watercolor, pen and black ink, the work measures a modest size and presents a quiet riverside scene framed by foliage.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts two figures beside a modest cascade on the Sawkill River. A standing man in a hat watches the water, while a seated companion, turned away from the viewer, gazes downstream. Tall pines and low green bushes enclose the falls, suggesting a tranquil, perhaps recreational, moment in a natural setting.
Technique & Style
Smith combines transparent watercolor washes with pen and ink outlines, creating a soft atmospheric quality. Layered glazing builds subtle tonal variations, while darker ink accents define the texture of rocks and foliage, giving the scene depth and a sense of three‑dimensional space.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1840, the drawing reflects Smith’s interest in American landscapes during a period of expanding interest in regional scenery. The work remains attributed to Smith and is catalogued as a watercolor drawing, though specific ownership history beyond its creation is not documented.
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Artist & collection
Artist
John Rubens Smith (January 23, 1775 – August 21, 1849) was a London-born painter, printmaker and art instructor who worked in the United States.
