Mohonk, 1871 (from Sketchbook) 1870

This is Daniel Huntington's "Mohonk," sketched in 1871. The placid lake, framed by trees and rocky outcrops, speaks to a deep connection with nature. Reflections on water, so prominent here, are ancient symbols of introspection and the subconscious. Think of Narcissus, doomed to love his own reflection, or Ophelia, whose madness is mirrored in her watery grave. The Romantics, like Huntington, tapped into this primal symbolism, using landscapes to evoke inner emotional states. Consider how the trees, framing the view, act as silent witnesses, their forms echoing the jagged cliffs. This mirroring effect, this call and response between nature's elements, creates a sense of harmony, a visual equilibrium that soothes the soul. It is a reminder of the power of nature to reflect and shape our inner selves. This sketch is a fragment of a larger narrative.