Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Miner Kilbourne Kellogg died in 1889; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1959.
In context
Capri — Miner Kilbourne Kellogg
The original measures 31 × 23 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 75 at death.
Painted when the artist was 40. The artist lived to 75. 50 of the 72 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Miner Kilbourne Kellogg (1814–1889) ▲ this work, 1854 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1843 Main working years: 1843–1854 Late works: from 1854
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/miner-kilbourne-kellogg-capri-AQT6VP-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Rosy Brown #baab80
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 44.2% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 240 works by this artist, of which 68 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 17 of them, with 1.2% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
About this artwork
Capri — Miner Kilbourne Kellogg
The painting Capri by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg is a remarkable piece of art that showcases the artist's skill and attention to detail. Created in 1854, this pencil drawing measures 31 x 23 cm and is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in the United States.
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg was an American artist known for his landscape drawings and paintings. His work often featured scenes from nature, including mountains, rivers, and coastlines. The painting Capri is a prime example of his ability to capture the beauty of the natural world.
The painting Capri features a mountainous landscape with a large rocky cliff overlooking the water. There are several people scattered throughout the scene, some standing on the cliff and others near the water's edge. The overall atmosphere of the painting suggests a sense of adventure and exploration as the individuals navigate the challenging terrain of Capri Island. Key Features:
The use of pencil and watercolor on paper creates a unique and delicate texture.
The attention to detail in the painting is impressive, with intricate drawings of rocks, trees, and figures.
The sense of depth and perspective in the painting is well-executed, drawing the viewer's eye into the scene.
Similar Paintings: Other notable paintings by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg include Palermo and Capri and Mill Near Grotto, Aldberg, which can be found on AllPaintingsStore.com. These paintings showcase the artist's ability to capture the beauty of different landscapes and scenes.
The painting Capri by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg is a captivating piece of art that showcases the artist's skill and attention to detail. With its unique texture, intricate drawings, and sense of depth and perspective, it is a must-see for anyone interested in landscape paintings. Visit AllPaintingsStore.com to learn more about this painting and other works by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg.
Artist and museum
Miner Kilbourne Kellogg was an artist whose life unfolded as a grand, sweeping tapestry, much like the diverse landscapes he so meticulously captured on canvas. Born in 1814 in the quiet enclave of Manlius Square, New York, his early years were defined by movement and discovery. As his family journeyed toward Ohio, Kellogg’s artistic soul began to take root in the vibrant cultural landscape of Cincinnati. It was here, amidst the burgeoning art scene of the Midwest, that he sought formal training at the Academy of Fine Arts under Frederick Eckstein. This foundational period instilled in him a rigorous discipline and an eye for the subtle nuances of light and form—qualities that would later allow him to navigate the complex visual languages of both the American frontier and the ancient Near East.
His path was never a singular one, marked by roles as varied as those of a land surveyor in Texas and a diplomatic courier for the United States Department of State. These professional excursions served as more than mere interludes; they were essential pilgrimages that expanded his aesthetic horizons. Traveling through Europe, Kellogg encountered the profound legacies of the Old Masters and the burgeoning Romantic movement. His time in Florence, where he forged a friendship with the renowned sculptor Hiram Powers, provided him with an intimate connection to the classical traditions of Italy. These travels infused his work with a sense of historical weight and a deep-seated reverence for the enduring beauty of antiquity.
Perhaps the most defining chapter of Kellogg’s career was his profound engagement with the Orient. Unlike many of his contemporaries who approached Eastern subjects through a lens of mere fantasy, Kellogg sought a more authentic, almost scholarly connection to the lands he visited. His travels through Egypt and Palestine were driven by an intense desire to document the sites of biblical significance with unparalleled accuracy. He famously described himself and his colleagues as working "like beabilities" to ensure that every ruin, every texture of the desert sand, and every architectural detail was rendered with truth.
This commitment to realism transformed his landscapes into more than just scenery; they became historical documents imbued with atmosphere. In his Orientalist works, one finds a masterful blend of expressive color and precise observation. He possessed a unique ability to capture the bustling energy of marketplaces and the serene, sun-drenched stillness of ancient ruins alike. His paintings do not merely depict a place; they evoke the very heat, dust, and spiritual resonance of the Middle East, bridging the gap between the viewer’s world and the exotic allure of the Levant.
While his landscapes captured the grandeur of distant lands, Kellogg’s mastery of portraiture allowed him to capture the essence of human character. He was a proficient portraitist whose talent earned him commissions from some of the most influential figures of his era, including Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. These portraits are characterized by a psychological depth that reflects his training in the classical tradition, capturing not just the likeness of his sitters but their perceived authority and presence.
Beyond the brush, Kellogg’s contribution to the art world was multifaceted:
Art Historian and Collector: His intellectual pursuits were as significant as his creative ones. He was a dedicated art historian and an avid collector, possessing a personal collection that included works attributed to legends such as Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.
Exhibition Organizer: Kellogg played a vital role in the dissemination of art, working to arrange exhibitions that brought significant works to the American public.
Academic Recognition: His standing in the artistic community was solidified in 1851 when he was elected as an Honorary Academician of the National Academy of Design.
As his life drew to a close in 1889, Kellogg left behind a legacy that transcends simple categorization. He was a man of the world—a surveyor, a diplomat, and a scholar—whose art served as a bridge between cultures and eras. Through his vivid landscapes and soulful portraits, he remains a pivotal figure in American art history, reminding us of a time when painting was a primary vessel for exploration, discovery, and the profound documentation of the human experience.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/miner-kilbourne-kellogg-capri-AQT6VP-en/
Look closely
Capri — Miner Kilbourne Kellogg
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The contrast level of "Capri" by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg is serene.
"Capri" by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg is recorded as brilliant, with a bright balance luminance.
The color identity of "Capri" by Miner Kilbourne Kellogg: a neutrals palette, dominated by rosy brown (#baab80).