Heart of the Andes

Heart of the Andes

right side

lower left,tree with date and signature

center bottom rapids and pool

lower right riverbank with trees and flower

lower center left,figure with cross,and village and background

Heart of the Andes

Artist:
Frederic Edwin Church (American, Hartford, Connecticut 1826–1900 New York)
Date:
1859
Culture:
American
Medium:
Oil on canvas
Dimensions:
66 1/8 x 119 1/4in. (168 x 302.9cm)
Classification:
Paintings
Credit Line:
Bequest of Margaret E. Dows, 1909

This picture was inspired by Church's second trip to South America in the spring of 1857. Church sketched prolifically throughout his nine weeks travel in Ecuador, and many extant watercolors and drawings contain elements found in this work. The picture was publicly unveiled in New York at Lyrique Hall, 756 Broadway, on April 27, 1859. Subsequently moved to the gallery of the Tenth Street Studio Building, it was lit by gas jets concealed behind silver reflectors in a darkened chamber. The work caused a sensation, and twelve to thirteen thousand people paid twenty-five cents apiece to file by it each month. The picture was also shown in London, where it was greatly admired as well.

Provenance
William T. Blodgett, New York, 1859–76; sale, Chickering Hall, New York, April 27, 1876, no. 92 [bought before the auction by David Dows]; David Dows, New York, 1876–died 1890; his wife, Mrs. David (Margaret E.) Dows, New York, 1890–died 1909

Copyright Image
https://images.metmuseum.org