Twilight in the Wilderness

This painting of Mount Katahdin in Maine was painted from Church's studio two years after his trip to Maine where he completed many sketches. It is believed by many critics that with the United States on the verge of civil war this blazing depiction of twilight may have been a symbolic gesture of things to come. When Church completed Twilight in the Wilderness he did not debut the painting along with other artists at an exhibition which was common for the time. Church instead exhibited the painting at a local prestigious art gallery while generating excitement through advertisements and publications. Hundreds of people flocked to the gallery to see Church's painting dusting it's seven week run and the exhibition was considered a smashing success.