Near Newport 1869

John Frederick Kensett painted "Near Newport" with oil on canvas at an unknown date. Kensett was associated with the second generation of the Hudson River School, and his work gives us insight into how the American landscape was being understood at a moment of intense territorial expansion and industrial development. Kensett’s luminist style captures the unique atmospheric effects of light reflecting off the water, rocks, and sky. This approach to painting was very popular among upper and middle class Americans, who were beginning to visit the seaside for leisure. Here, the artist shows a tranquil scene of two people on a beach, enjoying a calm summer day. Art historians might look at how the image relates to other paintings of the American landscape or the relationship between art and tourism. The image is not necessarily progressive, but it does suggest a shift in values towards leisure time and an appreciation for the natural world.