On the Beach

The 1886 inventory of the Edison home lists this painting as being displayed in the drawing room, where it still hangs today. Gifford, a Hudson River School artist and member of the Luminist movement, primarily produced beach and moutain scenes. Gifford used a special technique to finish his work. By varnishing it several times in boiled oil, the artist sought to create a veil between the viewer and the work of art that represented the natural atmosphere. This work may depict the shores at Long Branch, New Jersey where Gifford is known to have painted.

Thomas Edison National Historical Park
West Orange, New Jersey