1955.21 Alfred Jacob Miller, The Lake Her Lone Bosom Expands to the Sky

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The 19th-century preoccupation with nature and the American scene can be seen in the works of Alfred Jacob Miller, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran, painters of the West, all of whom were fascinated by the American frontier. The fascination with the unspoiled and never-ending wilderness resulted in compositions which documented westward expansion and reflected the heroic optimism of the period. The earliest views of this type were usually done by artists who joined expeditions to the West, recording their journeys in art. Miller was one of the first artists to explore the Rocky Mountains and the Oregon Trail as part of an expedition. The title of this painting, The Lake Her Lone Bosom Expands to the Sky, is a good indication of the romanticism present in the work. It is not a topographical sketch but rather an attempt to create a mood. In the painting one also sees Miller's interest in atmospheric haze and the picturesque effects achieved by Native Americans dotting the landscape, broken tree limbs, overgrown brush, and veiled mountains.

Adapted from

Anne Bromberg, "Description of Selected Paintings in the Collection," DMA Education files, 1987.

NOTES

c. 1850 (50 year search dates)

Object File reviewed

Related Object:

1955.20 Where the Clouds Love to Nest

Alfred Jacob Miller: Artist on the Oregon Trail ed. Ron Tyler Amon Carter 1982

PROVENANCE INCOMPLETE

Until 1947: Mrs. K. Daniel; {Old Print Shop, New York, New York (1947)

Edward Eberstadt and Sons, New York, New York (1947)

C.R. Smith, Washington, D.C.

Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, Texas 1955.21; gift of C. R. Smith provenance from Alfred Jacob Miller Project paper

From 1955: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of C.R. Smith [2]

Catalogue essays

Artist/designers

Miller, Alfred Jacob (American, 1810-1874)

Cultures

Geography

Process/materials

Oil on panel

Historical periods

1800-1860, United States, "Exploration, Expansion, Nationalism, and Reform"

Individuals

Subject terms

RELATED OBJECTS

PROVENANCE

AUDIO ASSETS

VIDEO ASSETS

IMAGE ASSETS

WEB RESOURCES

The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD~Check out other works by Alfred Jacob Miller at the Walters Art Museum.

ARCHIVAL RESOURCES

FUN FACTS

TEACHING IDEAS

RULES

Apply to objects where number equals 1955.21

General Description

The 19th-century preoccupation with nature and the American scene can be seen in the works of Alfred Jacob Miller, Albert Bierstadt, and Thomas Moran, painters of the West, all of whom were fascinated by the American frontier. The fascination with the unspoiled and never-ending wilderness resulted in compositions which documented westward expansion and reflected the heroic optimism of the period. The earliest views of this type were usually done by artists who joined expeditions to the West, recording their journeys in art. Miller was one of the first artists to explore the Rocky Mountains and the Oregon Trail as part of an expedition. The title of this painting, The Lake Her Lone Bosom Expands to the Sky, is a good indication of the romanticism present in the work. It is not a topographical sketch but rather an attempt to create a mood. In the painting one also sees Miller's interest in atmospheric haze and the picturesque effects achieved by Native Americans dotting the landscape, broken tree limbs, overgrown brush, and veiled mountains.