Eagle Cliff

Thomas Hill achieved much fame in his career, primarily for his large western paintings of Yosemite. Sylvester Phelps Hodgdon was a lesser known Boston artist. However, each of their paintings of Eagle Cliff is extraordinary in its own way. Hodgdon’s daring use of reds to paint this sunset was unusual at the time. Hodgdon often painted sunrise or sunset scenes, perhaps being captivated by the brilliant colors and light. Hill’s painting, although more conventional, smaller, and more precisely painted than his later works, also has a warm light seen mostly in the water and on the distant shore. Notice how similar these paintings are, with trees framing the left side, the still lake, and the clouds hanging low over Eagle Cliff. Similar low-lying clouds are frequently seen in Franconia Notch today. The fall colors and tranquility of the water in Hill's painting give it a warm, late morning autumn feeling. Hodgdon's setting sun, on the other hand, suggests a coolness soon to force the lone boaters in for the evening.

Please see The Old Man of the Mountain in this exhibition, a painting by Thomas Hill's younger brother Edward.


Thomas Hill	Sylvester Phelps Hodgdon
Eagle Cliff from Profile Lake Oil on canvas, 16" x 12" S/D/L/R 1879	Profile Lake, Evening Oil on canvas, 14" x 17 Ľ" S/D/L/L 1876

Incomparable Scenery Comparative Views in the White Mountains

Eagle Cliff

Incomparable Scenery
Comparative Views in the White Mountains