What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?

The sun is setting on the Hudson Valley as the anthropomorphic rock face calls out into the clouds. This scene seems to represent a Native American impression of the rapid change in New York State. The clouds gradually covering the sky represent the changes that came with industrialization. This one sentimental space that has since become a tourist destination represents how American culture trivialized indigenous culture.

What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?

The trees in the painting are Bob Ross-esque, but the meaning of the art is not so picture-esque. The brownish tones represent downtrodden feelings of those who are helpless in the face of change. The blue sky over the Hudson Valley is much smoother than the dark textured, clouds representing a looming sense of doom coming over the tranquil past.

What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?

Adjacent to McEntee’s painting is the “Tropical Scenery” by Frederic Church, a foil to the stonehead. Specifically, Church’s painting depicts a beautiful scene looking up at the sun and a mountain in a clear sky, while McEntee’s painting depicts despair looking down from a cliff into a smoky sky. This demonstrates the opposite feeling, and how a change in perspective can change outlook. Living in the moment looking up, everything may seem fine, even beautiful, while an outside perspective may reveal the exact opposite.

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