Recreation

The son of a traveling portraitist, the American painter Jerome Thompson began his artistic journey as a sign painter before establishing himself as a successful portrait artist. By 1850, however, he shifted his focus to genre scenes, such as this depiction of a group of picnickers near Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak.  

During the mid-19th century, industrialization—particularly in the Northeast—was rapidly transforming the American way of life and replacing traditional agrarian lifestyles. As a response, rural sightseeing, mountain hikes, and pastoral picnics, or even images of such activities, offered city dwellers an idealized retreat into nature. Recreation shows romantic notions of the beautiful and picturesque, presenting a harmonious balance between nature and human culture. At the center of the scene, a flute player embodies the romantic belief that people find inspiration and renewal through a pastoral, even spiritual, connection with the natural world. Everything is calm and everyone is happy—an idyll.

P.S. Today we have something special for you, an American Art QUIZ! How well do you know art made in the USA? 

P.P.S. Find out which iconic American art masterpieces are in our Great Masterpieces 50 Postcards Set here! :)