The artwork titled “Steamboats passing on the Hudson River” was created by Currier and Ives in 1874. This work of art belongs to the Romanticism art movement and falls under the “marina” genre, depicting scenes related to the sea, rivers, or harbors.
In the artwork, a serene and bustling scene along the Hudson River is depicted, featuring several steamboats maneuvering through the tranquil waters. The steamboats, detailed with careful precision, emit billows of smoke from their stacks, capturing the busy nature of river transport during this period. The background reveals lush, green hills in the distance under a sky filled with soft, billowing clouds, reflecting the majestic and tranquil beauty of nature that is characteristic of Romanticism. The composition showcases the harmonious interaction between human innovation and the natural landscape, enhancing the romanticized essence of this historical moment on the Hudson River.
