Water, snow, wading cows and a lot of woodlands now grace the walls of Kresge Art Museum.

They’re painted, of course, in landscape portraits of the 19th century, and will be there until March 18 in Kresge’s “Masterpieces of 19th-Century American Painting: From the Simple to the Sublime.”

“I saw one museum patron laying on his back on the floor, looking at a painting,” Kresge curator April Kingsley said. “It was the Inness; a lot of people are very fond of it.”

The painting Kingsley refers to is of the Hudson River Valley, painted in 1867 by George Inness.

The largest painting, by Thomas Hill, covers the majority of a wall and is 6 feet by 8 feet. The smallest, a detailed work that depicts two hummingbirds, is just 11 inches by 9 inches.

“Some of the artists used magnifying glasses to paint these,” said Lamont Clegg, information officer for Kresge Art Museum. “These paintings are 150 years old or older and the colors are still magnificent.”

Clegg said although many would assume they dislike landscape portraits, some are surprised after viewing the exhibit.

“People are moved by the magnitude of those works,” Clegg said. “We’ve been getting a very steady group moving through there.”

While doing her usual walk-through, museum employee Karen Whitmyer gazed at “Winter Landscape,” by Mortimer Smith.

“It reminds me of Michigan when I look at it,” the art education senior said.

“I love winter scenes and his use of lighter colors.”

Kresge offers its Thursday evening lecture series on American landscape paintings at 7:30 p.m. from today until Feb. 22 in room 108.