"Passed" Artists of the Day...a little early

I missed posting about a painter last Friday, being busy with updates and such. So, I thought I'd post today.
The last "Passed" painter was Audubon who moved his family west to open a store and eventually painted the wildlife of the area. Today's post is about another group of adventurers.

In 1869, The Hudson River School was founded. They first painted landscapes near the Hudson River at first, then moved to the Catskill Mts, then eventually traveled west and even in South America.

Thomas Cole (1801-1848) was the founder of this group of artists. He moved with his family to America from England when he was small. His father owned a wallpaper factory, and Thomas learned many drawing techniques while growing up there. As an adult his art was realistic. Landscapes of the Hudson Valley were some of his favorite to paint. (His "Notch of the White Mountains" is on the upper right.)

Another member of the group was Albert Bierstadt. He was born in Germany, and his family came to America and settled in Massachusetts. His interest in art began when he worked with a landscape photographer. Albert left the work and traveled to Europe to study painting. When he returned he began painting landscapes with the group, in particular the untamed West. His paintings were so grand (in size and application) they made people want come out West and see it for themselves. (His "Mountain of the Mist" is on the right.)

Frederic Church was another member. He was a student of Thomas Cole's and lived and worked in his New York studio, taking trips to sketch and draw landscapes throughout the year.
(His "Scene on Catskill Creek" is on the left.)

The Hudson Valley Painters were the first painters to capture the wildernesses of America and because of the wonderful paintings by this talented group, many saw places in America for the first time.






References: My son's Art curriculum and Artcyclopedia for the paintings.