Art Talk: Romanticism & Nature & Hudson River School

This month I have been highlighting the Hudson River School.

They are group of American Landscape artists that painted in the 1800's in the Romantic style and accentuated the might and majesty of nature.

Today, I want to talk about the Romantic Movement in art, especially the concentration on nature, with some paintings from the Hudson River artists and music from some great Romantic composers.

Details, The Voyage of Life: Childhood
Thomas Cole, 1842

For more on this selected piece: Art Talk: The Voyage of Life

Romantic Era

Romanticism was characterized by its emphasis on emotion and individualism as well as glorification of all the past and nature, preferring the medieval rather than the classical.

While there are many characteristics of the romantic era I want to concentrate on nature
and the way that these painters and musicians portrayed nature in their art.

Below we a painting of one of the greatest forces in nature a waterfall.....Niagara Falls which spans the border New York state and Ontario, Canada.

Niagra
Frederic Edwin Church, 1857
National Gallery of Art, DC

Music

Musical Romanticism was marked by emphasis on originality and individuality, personal emotional expression, and freedom and experimentation of form.

I chose a few pieces from Romantic artists that have to do specifically with nature...
Rain, storm, winter

Art

In the three paintings below we see nature idealized.

First, fall in all it's glory painted in large scale by Jasper Francis Cropsey. One of the characteristics of the Hudson River School is that they painted nature on a grand scale.

The next painting is of Mt. Cocoran in California painted by the great Albert Bierstadt (see artist highlight).

We end with a moving scene of friends or "kindred spirits" (Thomas Cole and William Cullen Bryant,) out in nature painted by fellow Hudson River School artist Asher Durand.

Autumn on the Hudson River
Jasper Francis Cropsey, 1860
National Gallery of Art, DC

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Mount Cocoran
Albert Bierstadt, 1876-1877
National Gallery of Art, DC

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Kindred Spirits
Asher Brown Durand, 1849
Metropolitan Art Museum, NYC

I have enjoyed researching and learning more about the Romantic Era. It is a time in art that I knew very little about. I know there is so much more to it and that is why I limited my coverage to nature in particular. I would love to learn more if you know about the Romantic Era and would like to share please do!

It was also fun to add some music into the Art Talk, another area of art where I have a lot to learn.

Sources:
Wikipedia-Romanticism
Encyclopedia Britanica- Romantic Music

Art Talk Series Highlights

2020
Art Talk: Recycled Plastic Art Movement
Art Talk: Gates of Paradise

March- Italian Renaissance
Art Talk: NGA Italian Renaissance Tour
Art Talk: Raphael
Art Talk: Venus
Art Talk: Egg Tempera
Art Talk: Guest Blogger, @laurabellamy

April- French Impressionism
Art Talk: NGA French Impressionism Tour
Art Talk: Fredric Bazille
Art Talk: The Mother and Sister of the Artist
Art Talk: En plein air

May- Hudson River School
Art Talk: NGA Hudson River School Tour