Moonlight
Description
In his landscape work, William Morris Hunt became interested in capturing the essence of his subject, eschewing fine detail for the pursuit of personal expression. The quality of light and shadow, and the distinctive moods offered by certain times of the day and weather effects, were fundamental characteristics. In Moonlight, he has expertly rendered the impression of the glowing orb overhead as it pierces the pitch-black darkness and cloud cover, and reflects in the surface of the water below, casting shadows of a pair of trees in the foreground. The impact of the moon’s ephemeral presence and Hunt’s equally fleeting transcription of the experience offer the eyes a respite from the depths of night as we take in the warmer tones of the earthen shore and the subtle coloring of the sky.
Provenance
Inscriptions
(in pencil on brown tape along top stretcher) DOLL + RICHARDS / 12 x 8
Labels
- (old catalogue entry affixed to frame verso) 21—William Morris Hunt / Moonlight / Height, 12 inches; width, 8 inches / [Prop]erty of the Estate of the late Alexander De(missing)
- (faded old label on left side of frame verso) No. (illegible) / Artist: Hunt, W M / Title: (missing)onlight / Owner: (blacked out)
- Previous Vose Galleries label, inventory no. 32017
- (tag) Inventory of American Paintings, Smithsonian Institution
Exhibitions
Literature
Condition
Good. The painting was previously lined and some fine age cracks did not go completely flat in the process, but there is no evidence of serious lifting. Its dark palette makes it hard to examine under UV, but there appears to be just old varnish, uneven in spots, and little obvious in-paint.
Frame Details
Description
In his landscape work, William Morris Hunt became interested in capturing the essence of his subject, eschewing fine detail for the pursuit of personal expression. The quality of light and shadow, and the distinctive moods offered by certain times of the day and weather effects, were fundamental characteristics. In Moonlight, he has expertly rendered the impression of the glowing orb overhead as it pierces the pitch-black darkness and cloud cover, and reflects in the surface of the water below, casting shadows of a pair of trees in the foreground. The impact of the moon’s ephemeral presence and Hunt’s equally fleeting transcription of the experience offer the eyes a respite from the depths of night as we take in the warmer tones of the earthen shore and the subtle coloring of the sky.
Provenance
Inscriptions
(in pencil on brown tape along top stretcher) DOLL + RICHARDS / 12 x 8
Labels
- (old catalogue entry affixed to frame verso) 21—William Morris Hunt / Moonlight / Height, 12 inches; width, 8 inches / [Prop]erty of the Estate of the late Alexander De(missing)
- (faded old label on left side of frame verso) No. (illegible) / Artist: Hunt, W M / Title: (missing)onlight / Owner: (blacked out)
- Previous Vose Galleries label, inventory no. 32017
- (tag) Inventory of American Paintings, Smithsonian Institution
Exhibitions
Literature
Condition
Good. The painting was previously lined and some fine age cracks did not go completely flat in the process, but there is no evidence of serious lifting. Its dark palette makes it hard to examine under UV, but there appears to be just old varnish, uneven in spots, and little obvious in-paint.
