Collection
/
American Art

Natural Bridge, Virginia

John Henry Hill

1 of 2

Object Label

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.

Caption

John Henry Hill (American, 1839–1922). Natural Bridge, Virginia, 1876. Watercolor over graphite on 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)

Gallery

Not on view

Collection

American Art

Title

Natural Bridge, Virginia

Date

1876

Medium

Watercolor over graphite on very thick, slightly textured wove paper mounted to a secondary paper

Classification

Watercolor

Dimensions

21 1/4 x 14 1/8 in. (54 x 35.9 cm)

Signatures

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"

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard L. Milberg

Accession Number

82.85.2

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Artists and makers

John Henry Hill

16 works in the collection