Niagara 1889

George Inness painted this ethereal vision of Niagara, seemingly capturing the raw, untamed energy of nature, a subject that has been a symbol across cultures for centuries. Consider the sublime terror of the waterfall—a motif that echoes through history. From ancient myths of destructive floods to Romantic-era paintings seeking to capture nature's overwhelming power, the waterfall symbolizes both destruction and renewal. Here, Inness presents us not just with a landscape, but with a threshold, a place of transformation. Note the smoke stack as a symbol of industrialisation in the background, juxtaposed against nature. Observe the small figures at the base of the falls, dwarfed by the immensity before them. Inness masterfully engages our subconscious, evoking an emotional response that transcends mere visual appreciation. Inness shows us a vision of nature that has persisted through human consciousness.