From the railroad terminal in Paterson, New Jersey, Bluemner embarked on sketching expeditions on foot as he explored the landscape and factory structures along the Passaic River making studies from nature. This quasi-industrial landscape was the primary subject of his art. A diary entry describes the appeal of this environment for Bluemner: “I prefer the intimate landscape of our common surroundings, where town and country mingle. For, we are in the habit to carry into them our feelings of pain and pleasure, our moods.” Canal at DL&W Railroad is an intimately scaled watercolor that features the bright palette and clarity of form inspired by a trip back to Europe in 1912. It relates to the larger oil Noonday Tones, Paterson Canal (1911-1917, private collection), and includes a red building and low vantage point that were altered for the final version.