Study of Rocks 1811 - 1893

John William Casilear made this Study of Rocks with graphite on paper sometime in the 19th century. Casilear belonged to the Hudson River School, a group of landscape painters who saw the American wilderness as a symbol of national identity and spiritual renewal during a time of rapid industrialization. This work represents a shift in artistic focus, from idealized landscapes to more intimate, detailed studies of nature. There is a deliberate exploration of texture and form, rendering each rock with an almost geological precision. We see a quiet, contemplative engagement with the natural world. Casilear’s choice to focus on these seemingly mundane aspects of nature reflects a broader cultural movement towards valuing the ordinary and the real. It invites us to consider the quiet beauty in the overlooked corners of our environment and, perhaps, in ourselves. It is an exercise in seeing and feeling the weight and presence of these silent, enduring forms.