(Autumn Landscape)

This autumn landscape is reminiscent of the rural scenes often painted for the popular printers Currier and Ives, with its equal emphasis on a pastoral landscape and the daily routines of country life.

Asher Durand, one of the senior members of the Hudson River School, was originally trained as an engraver. He made his early reputation engraving such works as John Trumbull’s “The Declaration of Independence”. About 1835 Durand took up painting, and soon became a leader of the Hudson River School. In 1840 he toured Europe with the artists Casilear, who was his student, Kensett, and Rossiter. Durand was president of the National Academy for many years.