His approach combined technical precision with a focus on pastoral subjects. He was a leading figure in the American etching revival and brought a printmaker's eye for line to his paintings. Works such as The Returning Herd and Cowherd demonstrate his skill in depicting animal anatomy and movement. He frequently placed his subjects under specific weather conditions, as seen in Showery Weather, to capture the shifting moods of the sky. His compositions remain balanced and orderly, favouring clarity over theatricality.

Modern collectors value these works for their historical honesty and calm atmosphere. His scenes of New Mexico, including On the Road to Santa Fe, provide a window into a pre-industrial world without relying on overused tropes. The neutral earth colours and soft palettes make these prints easy to place in contemporary interiors. They offer a sense of stillness that is rare in 19th-century Western art.