Moonlight on Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire (1873)

"Moonlight on Mount Lafayette, New Hampshire" (1873) by William Trost Richards is a masterpiece of American landscape painting that captures the serene and ethereal beauty of nature under the spell of moonlight. This exquisite work of art encapsulates a night scene shrouded in the luminous glow of a full moon, casting its silvery light over Mount Lafayette.In the foreground, a fragile yet picturesque birch tree stands as a silent sentinel on the left, its branches gently swaying in the nocturnal breeze. A companion birch is depicted on the right, together framing the scene and leading the viewer's eye towards the distant mountains. The middle ground reveals a tranquil river, reflecting the moon’s light and the dim outlines of bushy riverbanks, inviting a sense of quiet introspection.The background is dominated by the majestic slopes of Mount Lafayette, emerging from the shadows into the enchanting moonlight, layered by misty, cloud-strewn skies that add a touch of mystery to the landscape. The subdued tones and gentle gradation of light and shadow throughout the painting enhance the mood of peaceful solitude.Richards’ exceptional skill in using light to define texture and form is evident, as the moonlight not only illuminates but also appears to animate the landscape with a soft, ghostly radiance.