Montclair, New Jersey c. 1878

George Inness created this landscape painting, titled 'Montclair, New Jersey', using oil on canvas. The composition is dominated by horizontal planes of land and sky, with the land divided into fields, trees, and a distant mountain range. A large, dark mountain on the right side contrasts with a turbulent sky filled with grey and white clouds. The painting's structure evokes a sense of depth and distance through the use of atmospheric perspective. Note how Inness used a limited palette, focusing on muted greens, greys, and browns. This reflects a tonalist approach, emphasizing mood and atmosphere over precise detail. Inness destabilizes the traditional landscape by infusing it with subjective experience. His expressive brushwork and emphasis on light and shadow move beyond mere representation. The painting invites viewers to contemplate nature's emotional impact. In this way, Inness is not just representing a scene, but also a feeling. This painting marks a move toward modernism. It is no longer about objective realism but about a personal interpretation of place.