Rip Van Winkle 1829

John Quidor’s 1829 painting, *Rip Van Winkle*, depicts a scene from Washington Irving's short story of the same name. In the oil painting, Rip Van Winkle is portrayed as a middle-aged man who has aged considerably after waking from his 20-year sleep. The setting is a small town, with a tavern in the background. The scene illustrates a moment from the story, where a group of villagers point out the changes in their town to Rip, now a man out of his time. The work is a fine example of American Romanticism, featuring historical narratives, folk heroes, and the dramatic effects of nature. The work is on view in the Art Institute of Chicago.