Black Mountain, Lake George (from Sketchbook) 1870

Daniel Huntington created this pencil drawing, "Black Mountain, Lake George," as part of a sketchbook, at an unknown date. Huntington's choice of subject, Lake George, locates the drawing within the tradition of American landscape painting, particularly the Hudson River School. The image presents a serene view of nature, far removed from urban life. This aesthetic preference aligned with a broader cultural movement that idealized the American landscape, reflecting a desire to define a unique national identity. Huntington was a prominent figure in the art establishment of his time, serving as president of the National Academy of Design, an important institution. The sketch presents nature as a site of leisure and contemplation, which catered to the tastes of an emerging middle class with the resources to enjoy such landscapes. To understand Huntington's work, one might delve into exhibition records, period publications, and the archives of institutions like the National Academy. This reveals how artistic tastes were shaped by cultural values and class interests.