Forest Scene

This drawing of broken and tangled trees is quite similar in style and subject to nature studies by Hudson River School draftsmen such as John F. Kensett, John W. Casilear, and Jasper F. Cropsey. These artists made numerous outdoor sketches of trees, rocks, or clouds in order to hone their draftsmanship and develop their powers of observation. Although this sheet was probably drawn after Carmiencke arrived in America from Denmark in 1851, the German-born artist had been making nature studies throughout his career. His approach was undoubtedly influenced by contemporary developments in northern European landscape painting, led by artists such as Carmiencke’s teacher Johan Christian Dahl, and fellow classmate at the Kustakademie, Caspar David Friedrich.