Castle of Chillon, 1859
Oil on canvas Sanford Robinson Gifford, American, 1823–80 Gift of Theodore E. and Susan Cragg Stebbins 12 x 20 in. (2020-008)
Gifford has created a luminous landscape, dividing his composition into three horizontal bands in similar, warm tones, showing the castle and the day with dreamlike perfection. Gifford took artistic license when composing his painting, following the Hudson River School practice of improving on nature for the sake of the art. In this work, he diminished the size of the central mountain and moved it so that he was able to make the castle the focus of his composition. Painted looking south in early morning light, this view includes a small boat, sporting an American flag, filled with tourists. On shore, a local woman leans against the wall as she watches the visitors approach the historic landmark.