(American; b. Hartford, Conn., 1826–d. New York City, 1900) 40 x
90 1/2 in. (106.5 x 229.9 cm) Museum Purchase, Gallery Fund In
the 19th century, many American artists were inspired to portray
Niagara Falls, widely considered the nation’s greatest natural
wonder. The site reached its highest acclaim with Church’s
majestic 1857 canvas of the falls as viewed from the Canadian
shore. The painting was introduced to the American public
shortly after its completion, as a one-painting exhibition at
the commercial gallery of Williams, Stevens, and Williams in New
York City. Art lovers and thrill seekers alike paid 25 cents
each to view the monumental canvas, sometimes using opera
glasses or other optical aids to enhance the experience. The
price of admission included a pamphlet that reprinted
contemporary critics’ praise of Church’s picture and offered
exhibition-goers the opportunity to purchase a chromolithograph
of the canvas. Within two weeks of its debut, Niagara had lured
100,000 visitors to glimpse what one ne