The Gathering Storm

This oil sketch of sheep on a rocky hillside in stormy light, with its loose brushwork, has been questioned as the work of Casilear, who began his career as an engraver, and was later praised for his meticulous and highly-finished landscape painting style. The painting is credited to Casilear in an early household inventory made by Julia Billings.

Casilear was one of a group of artist friends that included Asher Durand, John F. Kensett, and Thomas Rossiter, all of whom are represented in the Mansion art collection.