10 Amazing Waterfall Oil Paintings
Waterfalls are a unique piece of nature. They’re both serene and powerful at the same time. One absolute constant is that they are one of the most gorgeous land structures that the world has to offer.
That being said, it’s no surprise that they’ve inspired artists over the years to put a brush to canvas and create a waterfall painting of their own. These are some of the most awe-inspiring results that have graced the public eye over the centuries.
1. Waterfall In Yosemite, Thomas Moran
There’s something to be said for the artistic rendition in this realistic painting by Thomas Moran. The waterfall serves as the focal point of the painting. The image expands outward across the canvas to encompass the river the waterfall flows into and the riverbanks on either side as well. It’s an incredibly detailed painting that showcases Moran’s impressive technical skill as well as the muse inspiring it.
2. Sadak In Search of the Waters of Oblivion, John Martin
Sadak In Search of the Waters of Oblivion was initially painted in 1812 by John Martin. It’s considered one of the most well0known romantic works from a British artist. The painting is dark and dramatic that shows a waterfall in the red light of dusk. Martin, impressively, painted the piece in only a month.
3. Niagara Falls, Frederic Edwin Church
Niagara Falls is a set of three waterfalls that have attracted tourists for years. They sit on the border of Canada and the United States with the larger falls sitting on the Canada side including some of the most powerful waterfalls in North America. This painting does an excellent job of capturing the beauty and strength of these falls.
4. Shoshone Falls on the Snake River, Thomas Moran
Shoshone Falls on the Snake River is a painting by Thomas Moran representing the waterfall of the same name in Idaho. Impressively, Shoshone Falls is taller than Niagara Falls even though it doesn’t typically get as much tourist attention. This depiction looks at the falls from the top, showing the water as it cascades over the edge.
5. Waterfall Greenwich, John Henry Twachtman
John Henry Twachtman took a different approach to his waterfall painting. Instead of a realistic replica, Twachtman adopted the waterfall muse to his impressionist style. This allows the painting to capture a myriad of colors and offers a unique perspective on a landscape that has been painted many times. It also allows for Twachtman’s personality and flair to take hold in the painting.
6. The Waterfall, Franz Marc
Cubism was a 20th-century movement that is often thought of in relation to Picasso. In this technique, the artist opts out of the realistic single viewpoint of other styles. Instead, they use geometric pieces and interlocking planes to show one scene from multiple perspectives at once. This is the creative approach that Franz Marc took when he was creating his personal depiction of a waterfall in 1912.
7. Autumn Landscape, Louis Comfort Tiffany
The most interesting thing about Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Autumn Landscape is its framing. Instead of simply putting the landscape on canvas and leaving it at that, the viewer gets to see the autumn waterfall scene through a window. This adds to the realism of the painting and makes the artist’s execution of the piece especially interesting.
8. Kirifuri Waterfall at Mount Kurokami in Shimotsuke Province, Katsushika Hokusai
There are a lot of different artistic styles in the world and Eastern art styles are among the most distinctive. This genre is the one that Katsushika Hokusai dove into to bring viewers Shimitsuke Kurokamiyama Kirifuri no taki or, translated, Kirifuri Waterfall at Mount Kurokami in Shimotsuke Province. It’s a stand-out piece that shows not only the waterfall but the activity surrounding it.
9. Woodland Waterfall, Tom Thomson
Tom Thomson’s Woodland Waterfall is a uniquely vibrant piece. It’s rich in warm colors such as oranges and reds without leaving out cooler colors like green. His unique palette that strays from completely realistic colors gives this common landscape choice an interesting twist. However, the colors aren’t so far removed from reality that the subject of the painting isn’t instantly recognizable.
10. Woodland Pool, Herman Herzog
When waterfalls are brought up, the tallest and most powerful often come into mind. However, there are also smaller, calmer waterfalls to enjoy. Herman Herzog’s Woodland Pool offers a more serene and calm image of a waterfall flowing into a large pool.
Conclusion
Nature has always been a strong source of inspiration for artists and waterfalls are among the most popular muses. These ten paintings only scratch the surface of what this landscape has to offer. There are plenty of other masterpieces to commemorate this natural formation, so don’t be afraid to do a little exploring of your own.
