Art Talk: NGA Hudson River School Tour

Like the Impressionists in France in the mid 19th century The Hudson River School was also painting En plein air.

These were a group of New York City based artists that painted American landscapes, mostly in the Hudson River Valley starting in the 1850s. They also branched out to other places like South America and the American West.

They were heavily influenced by Romanticism, which emphasized emotion and individualism and glorified the past and nature.

In general, Hudson River School artists believed that nature in the form of the American landscape was a reflection of God, though they varied in the depth of their religious conviction.

Autumn-On the Hudson River
Jasper Francis Cropsey, 1860

This is one of the most stunning paintings I have seen in person. The size and details are two things that really set it a part.

It is enormous- 151.8 x 274.9 cm (59 3/4 x 108 1/4 in.).
To compare Monet's Japanese Footbridge (which we saw last week) is 81.3 x 101.6 cm (32 x 40 in.) It is just about double the size.

The detail in this painting is astounding. The men and the dogs is barely noticeable in the original painting. They are lounging next the the trees in the center of the painting so the people would believe it was real.

Another great thing about this painting is that the artist painted it from memory in his studio in London. He displayed North American leaves along side the painting.

The Hudson River Valley is in New York State. It is the area surrounding the Hudson River which runs from New York City in the south to Albany in the north.

They also depict the American landscape as a pastoral setting, where human beings and nature coexist peacefully. Hudson River School landscapes are characterized by their realistic, detailed, and sometimes idealized portrayal of nature, often juxtaposing peaceful agriculture and the remaining wilderness which was fast disappearing from the Hudson Valley just as it was coming to be appreciated for its qualities of ruggedness and sublimity

Thomas Cole was the groups founder, leader and "father" and he was also the teacher of Frederic Edwin Church.

The National Gallery of Art has Thomas Cole's The Voyage of Life which is a group of four paintings beautifully set up in the museum in a circular fashion. It shows the journey of "man" on the river of life.

The Voyage of Life: Childhood
Thomas Cole, 1842

The Voyage of Life: Youth
Thomas Cole, 1842

The Voyage of Life: Manhood
Thomas Cole, 1842

The Voyage of Life: Old Age
Thomas Cole, 1842

Frederic Edwin Church

Niagra Frederic Edwin Church, 1857

From The National Gallery of Art

Niagara's tremendous success both in the United States and abroad established Frederic Edwin Church's reputation as the most famous American painter of his time

Critics and public alike marveled at the painting, which debuted in a one-painting exhibition at a New York City gallery shortly after its completion. The 25-cent admission allowed each visitor to view the monumental canvas, sometimes using binoculars or other optical aids to enhance the experience.

Albert Bierstadt

Beirstadt and Church were the most successful painters in the Hudson River Group. They both painted landscapes on a grand school.

Lake Lucerne
Albert Bierstadt, 1858

Below is Lake Lucerne close up, far away and with my mom when she came to visit me in 2005. Albert Bierstadt is her favorite artist. And for that reason I also have an affinity for him.

Mount Cocoran
Albert Bierstadt, 1876-1877

Martin Johnson Heade

Cattleya Orchid and Three Humingbirds
Martin Johnson Heade, 1871

Heade has been classified as a Hudson River School artist. There is some debate about this as only around 40% of his paintings are landscapes. He painted a lot still lifes and birds. Here we have two beautiful examples.

Both of these paintings are found in the gallery with Hudson River School aritists.

Giant Magnolias on Blue Velvet Cloth
Martin Johnson Heade, 1890