In addition to encouraging nineteenth-century authors, the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson served as an inspiration to American artists. This essay examines three affinities between Emerson's prose (Nature and "Art") and the artwork of John Frederick Kensett, with a focus on his 1869 Lake George. The landscapist and the painting appear to embody Christian expectations for character, duty, and faith as articulated by the essayist. In addition to encouraging nineteenth-century authors, the essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson served as an inspiration to American artists. This essay examines three affinities between Emerson's prose (Nature and "Art") and the artwork of John Frederick Kensett, with a focus on his 1869 Lake George. The landscapist and the painting appear to embody Christian expectations for character, duty, and faith as articulated by the essayist.