Potomac falls high horizon (1809-1844)

John Rubens Smith is the artist behind "Potomac falls high horizon", dated 1809-1844. Historical background, 1809-1844: The invention of lithography around 1796 and its spread in these decades made printed images cheaper and more varied. Landscape gained new prestige through groups such as the Barbizon painters in France and the Hudson River School in the United States, and by mid-century Realism turned to ordinary people and everyday labour. Drawings, a short history: Because line carries so much of the effect, drawings tend to reward close looking at the quality of the mark. Drawings range from quick preparatory sketches to finished works in pen, chalk, charcoal, graphite, or wash. It is listed in the Drawings collection. The image is in landscape orientation.

Buying "Potomac falls high horizon" means getting a digital file, not a physical print: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI, delivered by email once payment is confirmed. A 300 DPI file is intended for printing at home or at a local print shop, where you can choose a matte, satin, or fine-art paper to suit the room. A landscape format suits wide, low wall spaces such as the stretch above a bed, mantel, or sideboard. A simple frame with a mat often helps an image settle comfortably into a room. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing.

American, 1775–1849

If you like the visual language of John Rubens Smith, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.