Frederick Edwin Church Twilight in the

The backgroung
1. F.E. Church - methaphisical painter.
2. He was a naturalist.
3. Road to God found only in the
dramatism of nature.
4. References to religion in symbols
5. References to Manifest Destiny.
6. Twilight in the Wilderness (1860) –
territory of Maine
Frederick Edwin Church Twilight in the
 The Work
1. The whole work – vastness of American
continent.
2. Fiery-red sky (clouds cross the sky
diagonally)– the phisycal presence of
God in the nature.
3. The river – journey westwards for
expansion. Seems to add peace to the
cryptic and enticing wildreness.

Frederick Edwin Church Twilight in the

 The Work
1. The purplish mountain in the
background stands for the destination,
land yet to be explored and acquired.

The trees in the foreground – strenght

required in the quest for wilderness.

Frederick Edwin Church Twilight in the

 The Work

Some other interpretations

branches wood Passion Christianity

3. The trees are the guardians of the new

land.

Frederick Edwin Church Twilight in the

 The Work
1. The absence of man – the
wilderness seems to be deterrnent
and hostile.
2. This new man is yet to come – the
American as New Adam.
3. This unexplored land can only belong to
New Adam as God has given such a
right (Manifest Destiny)
Frederick Edwin Church Twilight in the
 Sources
1. Jules David Prown
Malarstwo amerykańskie – od
początków do armory show.
2. John Wilmerding, (ed.)
The Genius of American
Painting.
3. Art Archive

Frederick Edwin Church Twilight in the