American Falls, Niagara 1855

Jasper Francis Cropsey's "American Falls, Niagara" (1855) is a small-scale study of the American Falls at Niagara Falls. The drawing, executed in pencil and white gouache, focuses on the cascading water, capturing its powerful energy and raw beauty. Cropsey was a prominent member of the Hudson River School, known for their romantic landscapes often depicting nature in its grand and sublime forms. This work exemplifies his fascination with the grandeur of nature and the power of water. The drawing's simplicity and the use of white highlights for the waterfall create a sense of dynamism and movement.