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Mrs. Brown
Hudson River School Sandpaper Drawing titled "Sailing Down the Hudson River"

c. Mid-19th Century

$1,250
£952.52
€1,098.52
CA$1,775.37
A$1,907.54
CHF 1,023.39
MX$22,473.02

About the Item

This atmospheric sand painting, attributed to “Mrs. Brown,” is a rare and evocative example of Hudson River School–era sandpaper drawing, a distinctive medium favored by a small number of 19th-century artists. Rendered on textured sandpaper, the composition depicts a calm river scene framed by softly massed trees and distant hills, with small sailboats gliding quietly across the water. The subdued tonal palette of silvery grays, warm taupes, and muted greens enhances the sense of stillness and depth, allowing light and atmosphere to take precedence over sharp detail. The use of sandpaper lends the surface a granular softness that diffuses edges and heightens the misty, poetic quality associated with Hudson River School landscapes. Mrs. Brown’s sensitive handling of space and reflection creates a meditative scene that celebrates nature’s quiet grandeur. Works of this type are increasingly scarce, making this painting an especially compelling and historically significant survival of an unusual American artistic practice. This painting comes unsigned.
  • Creator:
    Mrs. Brown (American)
  • Creation Year:
    c. Mid-19th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 9 in (22.86 cm)Width: 11 in (27.94 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement Style:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
  • Gallery Location:
    Fredericksburg, VA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2574217470952

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