Critical Response to House and Farm on the Allegheny River (1863), William C. Wall:

Description: A bend in the Allegheny River wraps around a bank. On the river are four boats and three cattle. On the bank is a cream, two-story house, a field with hay stacked in neat rows, and the forest. On the other bank is a tree, several rocky areas, and seven hills. The colors are bright. There is a lot of blue and green, which are both soothing.

Analysis: I think the artwork expresses a calm day on a farm. It is likely not always calm on a farm that is surrounded by wilderness, so I think this painting is meant to relate peace and tranquility and hope (because one would presumably hope the former two qualities would last). This view is supported by the lack of harsh lines, the slow sense of movement, the pleasant textures, and the enjoyable colors. It is very balanced (in terms of shapes and colors), which suggests harmony. There is a slow sort of rhythm around the boats, which leave no wakes. It is hard to situate these themes within the artists' intentions because there is very little information about him (even across the otherwise seemingly infinite landscape of the Internet), other than that he was born in England and moved to a small Southwestern PA area when he was about 11.

Interpretation: This work says to me that it is a pleasant life in rural Pennsylvania, a little isolated, but quiet. It also shows the dichotomy of wilderness and agriculture.

Judgement: The piece is successful. It is well composed and after standing watching it for a long time, you feel like you really understand what it felt like to stand in that spot, overlooking the farm and the river.