Niagara Falls

Location
Horseshoe Falls Niagara Falls, ON Canada
Date
1878
Materials
Oil on canvas
Credit
Williams College Museum of Art, gift of the estate of J. Malcolm Forbes
Accession number
61.7
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A natural border between the United States of America and Canada, Niagara Falls has long been a source of wonder and inspiration for artists. William Morris Hunt came to Niagara in 1878, living there for a month as he sketched the Falls extensively. Returning to his studio in Boston, Hunt painted two views of the natural feature: one, an impressive panoramic vista seen from the base of the American side, and this one, a close-up of water cascading over Horseshoe Falls, seen from the Canadian side. Placing the viewer in the midst of the rushing water, Niagara Falls conveys intimacy and immediacy while still capturing the terrifying beauty and sublime power of this natural wonder.