Autumn Study, View over Hanging Rock, Newport, R.I. 1868

John La Farge created 'Autumn Study, View over Hanging Rock, Newport, R.I.' with oil on canvas, its date unconfirmed. The painting offers a landscape dominated by earth tones—browns, greens, and muted reds, which give way to a pale blue sky. A large, amorphous rock formation anchors the composition. Its mass contrasts with the flat, horizontal expanse of the landscape and the sky, creating a tension between volume and plane. La Farge's brushstrokes are loose and suggestive, focusing on capturing the atmospheric conditions and the overall impression of the scene rather than precise details. This approach aligns with the artistic shift towards Impressionism, which challenges academic art’s emphasis on detail. By prioritizing sensory experience and the transient effects of light, La Farge destabilizes traditional modes of representation. The asymmetry and lack of clear definition invite viewers to engage actively in constructing the scene’s meaning. The visual structure becomes a signifier of a broader intellectual movement questioning fixed perspectives.