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Heart of the Andes

1859
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 760
Inspired by the writings of the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, Church traveled to South America in 1853 and 1857. Heart of the Andes was synthesized from scores of pencil and oil sketches Church made in Ecuador and represents the full climatic range—from tropical to temperate to frigid—Humboldt had observed there a half century earlier. Church displayed the picture in a massive frame (now lost) resembling a window and advised viewers to look through opera glasses to better take in its wondrous botanical detail. It was lit by gas jets concealed behind silver reflectors in a darkened chamber. The work caused a sensation, and twelve to thirteen thousand people paid twenty-five cents apiece to file by it each month. It now appears in a frame designed by the artist for another painting.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Heart of the Andes
  • Artist: Frederic Edwin Church (American, Hartford, Connecticut 1826–1900 New York)
  • Date: 1859
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Oil on canvas
  • Dimensions: 66 1/8 x 120 3/16 in. (168 x 302.9cm)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Margaret E. Dows, 1909
  • Object Number: 09.95
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

Audio

Cover Image for 1138. Kids: Heart of the Andes

1138. Kids: Heart of the Andes

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More Artwork

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The Heart of the Andes
Frederic Edwin Church
William Forrest
1862
Homage to Church's Picture, "The Heart of the Andes": Marche di Bravura, The Andes
Multiple artists/makers
1863
The Aegean Sea, Frederic Edwin Church American, Oil on canvas, American
The Aegean Sea
Frederic Edwin Church
ca. 1877
The Parthenon, Frederic Edwin Church American, Oil on canvas, American
The Parthenon
Frederic Edwin Church
1871
Niagara, Frederic Edwin Church American, Oil on paper laid down on canvas, American
Returned to lender
Niagara
Frederic Edwin Church
ca. 1858

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