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Introduction
The Hudson River School, considered by many to be the first truly American school of painting, flourished between 1825 and 1875. The movement was embraced by three generations of artists who shared common principles uniting them as a school despite their individual differences in style. Primary among these was a belief in natural religion, a deep admiration for the magnificence of nature, and a keen interest in the direct observation of nature. Most importantly, however, was awareness of the fresh, untamed American scenery as reflective of the optimism and independence of our character as a young nation.
This exhibition from a remarkable private collection groups paintings by Hudson River School artists in pairs and series either intended as such by the artists or around recurrent themes of great significance to the movement. The underlying purpose of these groupings is to enable the contemporary viewer to understand more readily the artist’s objectives by actively engaging in these comparisons and contrasts.
This exhibition was on display from February 4 – May 14, 2006 in the East Wing galleries.
The exhibition was organized and toured by the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, Pennsylvania, Judith O'Toole, curator.Generous support for this exhibition provided by the Friends of the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, The Dorsky Foundation, James H. and Mary Ottaway, Morgan Anderson Consulting, Hudson United Bank, and KeyBank.
SAMUEL DORSKY MUSEUM OF ART AT THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AT NEW PALTZ
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