Swiftwater 1854

Daniel Huntington created this drawing of a waterfall, Swiftwater, in pencil, charcoal and white chalk, likely in the late 19th century. Huntington's romantic naturalism connects to the American cultural movement of the time, which emphasized the unique beauty of the North American landscape as a means of defining a new national identity. Notice how the image creates a sense of sublime beauty through its attention to the wildness of nature. Waterfalls were a popular subject in the United States at this time as they symbolized the nation's vast resources and potential for progress. Artists like Huntington, who often exhibited at institutions such as the National Academy of Design, played a role in shaping national identity. Understanding this drawing requires considering the historical context. By looking at exhibition records, period writings on aesthetics, and biographies of the artist, we can better understand the cultural work this image performed in its own time. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.