In the early through the mid 1800s, America was a hot spot for exploration and new discoveries. The vast majority of the landscape to the West had been undiscovered and uncharted. The populated areas to the East were still mostly rural and covered with beautiful farmland complemented by flowing bodies of water. The various artists that depicted these breathtaking landscapes all displayed their works in the 1800s. Most of which also were a part of the Hudson River School or at least influenced by their artworks. What do you think their purpose was in creating these artworks? What do they all have in common? The purpose of these artworks were to show the beauty of the American terrain, in turn, encouraging Western expansion and preservation of land already settled. These artworks all display the beauty derived from the unbothered landscapes of America. Urbanization hadn’t touched these environments yet while they were depicted in artworks. However, some of the artworks are the final depictions because some of the landscapes have been changed due to the spread of American urbanization. The artworks share various similarities even though the artists are not the same. They all show different locations that have the same theme when being observed. The artworks show vast, seemingly never-ending scenery through their use of space and a faint horizon line.
Thomas Cole, View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm—The Oxbow, 1836. Oil on canvas 51 1/2 x 76 in. (130.8 x 193 cm). (08.228)
This painting also by Thomas Cole resembles scenery from the town of Catskill near his house. Catskill is located in upstate New York which contains vast amounts of countryside and untamed land. Also a hotspot for the Hudson River School inspiration. Cole was always interested in illustrating mountains, crags, and valleys. Unfortunately, this landscape isn’t present today because in 1837, The Canajoharie and Catskill Railroad was being constructed. This caused many trees to be cut down and the landscape forever changed. This painting was done partly in mourning of the lost beauty that existed near his home.
This painting illustrated by John Frederick Kensett, is one that appears from a vantage point near Fort Putnam in New York. The location was one favored by The Hudson River School, including Kensett. The large body of water is the Hudson River in West Point. The scenery shown depicts the calm and peaceful view of one of America’s well known rivers. The painting inspires preservation of the landscape and the corner of Fort Putnam on the right side of the painting shows it is a historical piece of land. Kensett uses the ravine to enhance the depth and vastness of the depicted landscape.
This artwork by George Inness depicts the Delaware Water Gap on the border of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Inness was influenced by the Hudson River School when creating this artwork. The landscape is beautifully peaceful and is enhanced by the passing storm clouds and presence of a rainbow. The untouched farmland is shown by the grazing cattle in the foreground. This painting shows the theme of the exhibition by showing the gorgeous, cultivated scenery of a land not harmed by urbanization. The painting gives the viewers a sense of passion to want to preserve the land and keep its beauty.
This artwork by Albert Bierstadt is from Western America near the Rocky Mountains. Bierstadt was inspired to create this painting after his travels with a voyager named Frederick W. Lander through the untouched Western American landscape. The vantage point was one he named after Lander after his death. Bierstadt adds in a civilization in the foreground to show the peacefulness of the land and how American people have yet to venture out this far. He created his artworks to advertise exploration of America and the idea that the land was destined to be claimed by White settlers through “Manifest Destiny.”
Robert S. Duncanson, Landscape with Cows Watering in a Stream, 1871. Oil on canvas 21 1/8 x 34 1/2 in. (53.7 x 87.6 cm). (1974.359)
This painting by Robert S. Duncanson shows a peaceful scene, as the title suggests, of cows watering in a stream. This painting shows the depicted landscape as one of which humans have not bothered. The livestock hints that the land is a farmer’s countryside. Duncanson was a self-taught painter who was influenced by the Hudson River School artworks. He used his travels to create his artworks. The location of this artwork is not listed, but the purpose of the painting resembles the others. The painting draws the observer to want to preserve untouched land and preserve beautiful landscapes.
William Trost Richards, Lake Squam from Red Hill, 1874. Watercolor, gouache, and graphite on light gray-green wove paper 8 7/8 x 13 9/16 in. (22.5 x 34.4 cm). (80.1.6)
This watercolor painting by William Trost Richards is one of the nearest counterparts to those of the Hudson River School. The artwork depicts a very wide range of land with peaceful waters separating the patches of land. The painting is from a vantage point in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Richards’s use of light and color create the depth of the painting creating the image in which it seems we can see forever. Once again, this painting represents a gorgeous scene from the American Countryside showing the beauty that the country contains that doesn't seem often by most people.
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