Tree Study 1869

Jervis McEntee made this pencil on paper "Tree Study" in 1869. McEntee, a Hudson River School painter, lived through the Civil War which deeply impacted his artistic expression, leading him to focus on more intimate, introspective scenes. The detailed and somber rendering of the trees speaks to a nation grappling with loss and change, reflecting a cultural shift towards recognizing the emotional weight of the landscape. His choice to focus on the quiet, often melancholic, aspects of nature, rather than the sublime vistas typical of his peers, sets him apart. McEntee's work invites us to consider how personal and collective traumas shape our perception of the natural world. This drawing allows us to reflect on how representations of nature can serve as powerful reflections of societal and personal experiences, subtly challenging traditional narratives of progress and expansion.