
Read the visual description
The image depicts a winter scene from an elevated perspective. A snow-covered parkway is seen with barren trees lining it. Close to the viewer, there is an ornate snow-covered fence leading into the park area. A path through the snow directs the gaze towards the distance where trees fade into the horizon. Buildings on the left are partly hidden by trees, with faint architectural details visible. The monochromatic palette of sepia tones creates a serene atmosphere, highlighting the contrast between snow-laden branches and the muted background. The photo conveys a sense of stillness associated with snowfall.
National Gallery of Art · Photograph
Boston Common Snow Scene
Josiah Johnson Hawes
- Date
- 1850s
- Medium
- salted paper print
- Dimensions
- image: 13 3/8 x 11 1/4 in. (34 x 28.6 cm)
- Classification
- Photograph
- Accession number
- 2006.133.81
- Credit line
- Gift of Mary and Dan Solomon and Patrons' Permanent Fund
- Time span
- 1826 to 1850
- Department
- CPH
Subjects and terms
- American
- Landscape
- United States
- landscape
- Winter
- Trees
- Snow scene
Provenance
Mary and Dan Solomon; purchase and gift to NGA, 2006.
Inscription
on verso, by unknown hand, across top in graphite: Hawes S1604
NGA object ID 136392. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.