A Gorge in the Mountains (Kauterskill Clove)

The painting’s story and details

Gifford painted this gorge in the Catskill Mountains in 1862. Air, light and distant slopes occupy much of the canvas. The area already attracted travellers, but he left tourist infrastructure out of the view. This is a carefully selected image of a place that people had long visited.

A hunter and dog can be discerned at the lower left. They are so small beside the trees and rocks that they are easy to miss at first. The pair introduces a human presence without making the view into a scene of group tourism.

The tall tree on the left is darker than the sky, but light passes through its golden crown. Its trunk marks the near edge of the gorge. Between it and the distant mountains lies a great distance, conveyed through gradually weakening colour and definition.

A narrow bright trace of water appears in the distance. It is tiny beside the surrounding slopes. Gifford does not make the waterfall the principal spectacle. Its pale trace helps distinguish the terrain where rock and vegetation begin to merge in haze.

The distant slopes almost dissolve into golden air. Reddish rocks and individual branches remain visible in the foreground. That difference creates depth even without a distinct road leading into the picture. Light changes how clearly objects can be seen.

Gifford began with portrait training before choosing landscape. In Europe he studied Turner, and in Italy developed his interest in light and atmosphere. Back in New York, he worked in his studio on views for which he gathered material while travelling. The canvas grew from observation followed by further work.

The painting dates from the American Civil War. In the summers of 1861–1863, Gifford served in the National Guard, including near Washington and in Baltimore. During these years he painted military camps as well as mountain views. His landscape work continued between periods of service.