MILLER, William Rickarby (American, 1818-1893). Moonlight on the Passaic River, Paterson, NJ.

MILLER, William Rickarby (American, 1818-1893)
Moonlight on the Passaic River, Paterson, NJ
Signed and inscribed ‘W.R. Miller N.Y.’ (lower right); titled on a
handwritten label (affixed to the reverse)
Oil on board
7 1/2” x 5 5/8” board
12 1/2” x 10 1/2” framed

This intimate moonlit landscape by William Rickarby Miller depicts a quiet stretch of the Passaic River near Paterson, New Jersey, rendered with the atmospheric delicacy and refined draftsmanship that distinguish Miller’s best work. The full moon, suspended above steep rock formations, casts a silvery glow across the still water, while soft clouds drift over a pale blue sky. The harmony of cool and warm tones and the careful attention to reflected light create a scene both serene and theatrically illuminated, recalling the poetic nocturnes favored by mid nineteenth century American painters.

Born in England and later active in New York, Miller became a respected figure among the second generation of Hudson River School artists. He is well known for his finely detailed views of the Catskills, the Hudson Valley, and the waterways surrounding New York and New Jersey. His works often combine topographical accuracy with a lyrical sensibility, drawing on the romantic landscape traditions that shaped American art in the mid nineteenth century. Miller exhibited at the National Academy of Design, and his works are held in major museum collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The present painting exemplifies his ability to translate modest subjects into richly atmospheric compositions. The Passaic River, long admired for its dramatic waterfalls and wooded banks, became an iconic motif for artists seeking to explore the interplay of light and nature. Miller’s choice of a nocturnal setting lends the view additional emotional depth, capturing the quiet beauty of the river at rest.

Handsomely framed and well preserved, Moonlight on the Passaic River is a refined example of Miller’s intimate landscapes, offering collectors a glimpse into the quiet poetry of the Hudson River School’s lesser known but highly skilled practitioners.