Evening scene. Three men camped by water, moonlit sky. Men sitting outside tent around campfire.

A small canvas tent is a far cry from the ideal Victorian homestead often depicted by Currier & Ives. Although the reality of living on the frontier was often a small tent and an open fire Night by the Campfire romanticizes every aspect of that life. The camaraderie of the three men is visible in their faces, animated by lively discussion, as they relax around the fire. Their dogs, symbols of loyalty, are clearly fatigued yet maintain a close watch over their surroundings. The forest is dark and unruly but the moon over the water and mountainside is calm. The print shows a vision of man and nature at their best through the beauty of simple frontier life.

Object Creator

Currier & Ives (American, 1834-1907)

Object Creation Date

1861

Medium

Hand-colored lithograph

Dimensions

16 5/8 x 13 inches

Credit

Gift of Lenore B. and Sidney A. Alpert supplemented with Museum Acquistions Funds

Accession Number

2004.D03.346

On View?

No

Image Request

Request Image for Reproduction