Aurora Borealis
Frederic Edwin Church · 1865
Why it's great
The northern lights shimmer above a ship trapped in Arctic ice, in glowing red and green. Church painted this in 1865, inspired by an Arctic expedition led by his friend Dr. Isaac Hayes. The dramatic sky is full of color. It's an amazing view of the far north.
👀 Look closer!
The northern lights are glowing. Find the ship in the ice.
Where to see it
📍 Smithsonian American Art MuseumWashington, D.C., United States
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
Frederic Edwin Church was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and studied with Thomas Cole. He traveled to South America, the Arctic and the Middle East, painting giant landscapes full of wonder. He became one of the most famous artists in the United States. He built a Persian-style mansion called Olana on the Hudson River.
