Study of Birch Trunks (Scribners') 1869

Jervis McEntee made this graphite drawing, Study of Birch Trunks, in the United States in 1889. It depicts a close-up view of birch trees, their stark white bark contrasting with the muted background of the forest. In the late 19th century, American artists were increasingly interested in capturing the nuances of the natural world, moving away from idealized landscapes towards more direct and intimate observations. This shift was influenced by broader cultural trends, including the rise of scientific naturalism and a growing appreciation for the American wilderness. Institutions like the Metropolitan Museum, where this drawing now resides, played a key role in shaping artistic tastes and promoting American art. McEntee's focus on the texture and form of the birch trunks reflects a desire to explore the beauty of ordinary, everyday subjects. To understand this work better, we might research the artist's personal diaries and the exhibition history of the time. We begin to see how this artwork embodies the social values of its time.