Indian Lake—Sunset
Benedikt Franz Hess American, born Switzerland
Publisher Currier & Ives American
Not on view
In this glorious New York State landscape, a lone hunter gazes at the sun setting over a lake surrounded by mountains. Nathaniel Currier, who established a successful New York-based lithography firm in 1835, produced thousands of hand-colored prints in various sizes that together create a vivid panorama of mid-to-late nineteenth century American life. In 1857, Currier made James Merritt Ives, his younger brother Charles's brother-in-law, a business partner. People eagerly acquired Currier & Ives lithographs, such as those featuring landscapes, rural and city views, hunting and fishing scenes, domestic life and numerous other subjects, as an inexpensive way to decorate their homes or business establishments.
