Waterfall

 Born in Scotland, William Hart immigrated to the United States with this family while a child, settling in Buffalo. He began his career there as a decorative painter and portraitist. After traveling extensively in the United States and Europe, Hart moved to New York and through his close association there with Hudson River School artists, he turned in earnest to landscape painting. In Waterfall, the artist reveals the influence of Asher Durand, one of the founders of the Hudson River School and an artist known for his scenes of forest interiors. Durand’s emphasis of the spiritual and regenerative powers of nature inspired Hart to create this verdant woodland view as a serene sanctuary and place of contemplation.