The artwork titled “Snow in New York” was created by the artist Robert Henri in 1902. This painting exemplifies the American Realism art movement and is rendered in oil on canvas. Measuring 81.3 by 65.5 cm, this cityscape genre piece is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art, located in Washington, DC, United States.
“Snow in New York” by Robert Henri captures a street scene in New York City under the cover of snow. The artwork displays the hustle and bustle of city life, despite the blanket of winter. The somber color palette, dominated by whites, grays, and muted earth tones, conveys the chill of the season, while the textural impasto of the oil paint highlights the tactile quality of the snow-laden environment. In the composition, a central street recedes into the distance amidst towering city buildings, directing the viewer’s gaze towards a vanishing point swallowed by the hazy atmosphere of a snowy day.
Figures, both pedestrians, and drivers, dot the streets, going about their daily life, underscoring a sense of urban routine and resilience amidst inclement weather. A horse-drawn carriage and a trolley car are visible in the foreground, indicating the modes of transportation of the era. The softness of the falling snow contrasts with the stark lines of the city’s architecture, highlighting the interplay of natural elements with the urban landscape. Robert Henri’s treatment of light and shadow through his brushwork creates a dynamic yet intimate depiction of New York at the turn of the 20th century, encapsulating a moment of daily life paused by the serenity of a snowfall.