Western Art - Hudson River School - An American Perspective to Romanticism

The Concept and Historymisty riverbanks. The magnificence of these
Hudson River School was an American artpaintings evoked a deep sense of tranquility
movement that emerged in 1825 and was activeamongst its viewers. The foremost painters of
until around 1875. The term 'Hudson River School'Hudson River School believed nature to be a true
does not refer to a physical school, but a schoolmanifestation of God. These artists often used
of thought, a vision, a group of Landscape Artiststheir paintings as a medium to propagate
shared. The grandeur of Hudson River Valleyspirituality and morality. Their depictions promoted
highly inspired them and they created numerousthe concept of man and nature living in harmony.
landscapes based on it. Their paintings also includedThe Artists and the Artworks
the images of the nearby Catskill Mountains,Most of the Hudson River School painters
Adirondack Mountains, and the White Mountains ofbelonged to the National Academy of Art. English
New Hampshire. Hudson River School, as an artartist Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was the founder
movement, claims a special place in art history, asof Hudson River School. After his early death,
it not only marks the formation of a distinguishedAsher Brown Durand (1796-1886) contributed
American art style, but also pays tribute to thelargely to further the movement. Sanford
sumptuous natural beauty of the American land.Robinson Gifford (1823-1880), Frederic Edwin
The DetailsChurch (1826-1900), and John Frederick Kensett
This school of painters created dramatic and(1816-1872) were some of the important
idealistic portrayals that displayed a clear influencesecond-generation painters of the school. Their
of Romanticism. Their works revolved aroundworks boasted of a distinct style, with a clear
three principle themes, discovery, exploration, andemphasis on the effects of light and shading (also
the settlement of the 19th century America. Thecalled Luminism). These painters even co-founded
artists created mesmerizing illustrations inthe very prestigious Metropolitan Museum of New
monumental sizes, with brilliant coloring andYork. Some of the most memorable works of
detailed brushwork. Many of these paintings werethis period are Cole's 'The Oxbow' (1836),
an amalgamation of sceneries from differentDurand's 'Kindred Spirits' (1849), and Church's 'The
locations. Hudson River School paintings featuredIcebergs' (1869). One of the largest collections of
the stills of serene majestic mountains, vastHudson River School paintings in the world can be
pastoral landscapes, white snow peaks, lushfound at the Public Art Museum of Wadsworth
forest, violent waterfalls, glimmering sunsets, andAthenaeum, located at Hartford, Connecticut.