On the Esopus Creek, Ulster County, New York 1859

David Johnson captured this view On the Esopus Creek, Ulster County, New York, using oil on canvas. The scene is anchored by a tranquil river, reflecting the soft hues of the sky, bordered by lush trees and gentle slopes. Notice how the composition balances naturalistic detail with an overall serene tone. Johnson employs a precise, almost photographic realism, to depict the textures of foliage and water, yet there’s also a clear emphasis on formal structure. The painting invites us to consider how it creates meaning through careful arrangement of forms. This work is positioned within broader artistic concerns of its time, particularly the Hudson River School's focus on the American landscape as a symbol of national identity and transcendental experience. The artist uses a semiotic system of signs to convey a message about man and nature and how they can coexist peacefully. What Johnson has created is not just a picture of a place, but an invitation to reflect on our relationship with the natural world.