Collections: American Art: Natural Bridge, Virginia

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Natural Bridge, Virginia

Like his father and teacher John William Hill (whose work is exhibited in another gallery), John Henry Hill embraced Ruskinian principles of outdoor study and truthful representation. For this image, the younger Hill selected a famous landmark, which, along with Niagara Falls, was considered one of the natural wonders of North America. His interest in the 215-foot-high stone arch also reflects a fascination with geology: Hill served as the staff artist for government expeditions surveying the American West in 1868 and 1870.


• Artist: John Henry Hill, American, 1839-1922
• Medium: Watercolor over graphite on cream, very thick, slightly textured wove paper mounted to a secondary paper.
• Dates: 1876
• Dimensions: 21 1/4 x 14 1/8 in. (54 x 35.9 cm)
• Signature: Signed and dated lower right: "J. Henry Hill 1876"; signed and inscribed verso lower right: "The Natural Bridge Va Painted May 1876. J. H. Hill"
• Collections: American Art
• Museum Location: This item is not on view
• Accession Number: 82.85.2
• Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Milberg
• Image: Overall, 82.85.2_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
John Henry Hill (American, 1839-1922). Natural Bridge, Virginia, 1876. Watercolor over graphite on cream, very thick, slightly textured wove paper mounted to a secondary paper., 21 1/4 x 14 1/8 in. (54 x 35.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Milberg, 82.85.2 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 82.85.2_SL1.jpg)