From the wild, majestic western mountains to the peaceful, forested eastern coastal lands, this land has been known as "America the beautiful". Painted during the purchasing of our country, these works, chronologically, help to show off some of the natural splendor that our new nation had acquired. Personally, I think these artists were excited to show how rich in beauty their new land was, at a time when owning land, and being out in the 'great outdoors', was becoming more revered. Taking from different perspectives, styles, and time periods this theme of American Natural Landscapes helps to piece together the history and show the beauty of middle 19th - early 20th century America. During your first time observing the collection I would ask that you just admire the scenery while listening to the song link that's attached to the first picture. Don't feel like you have to read the captions because you can always come back to them. Allow the mix of the music with the paintings to give you a lovely, aesthetic experience!
Scene on the Hudson (Rip Van Winkle), James Hamilton, 1845, From the collection of: Smithsonian American Art Museum
History: In 1845 America purchased the Republic of Texas and after that President Polk affirmed in Congress that the settlement of the West was absolutely essential to the growing country.
Artist:James Hamilton (1819-1878) was a very well known painter during his lifetime. He had many of his works displayed in the Royal Academy, the Paris Salon, and the National Gallery. He was known as the "American Turner" because of the influence J.W.M. Turner had on Hamilton. He was also the teacher of another artist in this collection, Thomas Moran. (vallejogallery.com)
Painting: In this painting Hamilton brings the colors of fall, and the rocky, forested hillside of the Hudson River to the classic fairytale of Rip Van Winkle. He takes use of the afternoon sunshine to light up the main character of the tale and the winding river in the background. This gives us a brighter focal point to contrast with the shaded, leafy forest creeping in from the sides and corners.
The Lackawanna Valley, George Inness, c. 1856, From the collection of: National Gallery of Art, Washington DC
History: In 1856 the bloodshed over slavery was just getting started when the Pottowatomie Massacre occurred in Kansas.
James Buchanan was elected president over John Fremont and Fort Buchanan was built in Arizona to keep an eye on the newly purchased land around the area.
Artist: George Inness (1825-1894) was an American landscape painter born in New York to a big family. He is known best for his mature paintings. For this particular painting (and some others), Inness was commissioned by a Railroad company to paint/document their growth in Industrial America for quite some time. He went on to paint spiritually for the rest of his life until he died in Scotland. (georgeinness.org)
Painting: Since this painting was commissioned, it is the view of this particular railroad's first station in Lackawanna Valley, Pennsylvania. Inness uses the last shafts of sunlight drifting over the valley to create a serene sense of peace. Even with the locomotive in the distance, we feel as if the only sounds echoing throughout the hills are those coming from the insects who live there. Yet, the lushness of the region and portrayal of the gentle, rolling, farmland would not seem as complete without the steaming train. Inness makes us feel that if the train were not in the picture the valley would be lacking some important part of itself.
Among the Sierra Nevada, California, Albert Bierstadt, 1868, From the collection of: Smithsonian American Art Museum
History: In 1868 General Ulysses S. Grant was elected as the 18th U.S. President over Horatio Seymour.
Earlier that year Andrew Jackson's impeachment was tried by Congress.
Also, the air brake (for trains) and the electric vote reader were invented.
Artist: Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) was born in Germany and lived there until his family emigrated to Massachusetts in 1832. He later went back to Germany, in 1853, to learn how to better paint Alpine landscapes. When he returned to the U.S., he joined many westward-heading expedition groups. During his travels he took many pictures and made many sketches which he used as his model back in his New York studio when he began to paint the scenes. Beirstadt continued to be the foremost painter on the American West for the remainder of the 19th Century. (albertbierstadt.org)
Painting: One of Bierstadt's most famous paintings "Among the Sierra Nevada" gives us a glimpse into a dream-like grandeur. Bierstadt makes us feel as if we have just intruded into this oasis, but yet we are welcomed by the warmth of the sun dancing across the sky and the tree tops. We feel we are not worthy of such majestic beauty, but yet here it is. The storm overhead is passing, the sunlight streams through the open partings in the clouds, and the only witnesses are the woodland creatures and ourselves.
Cliffs of Green River, Thomas Moran, 1874, From the collection of: Amon Carter Museum of American Art
History: In 1874 the U.S. Greenback Party was organized by farmers who had been financially hurt from an economic depression in 1873.
Thomas Nast made the elephant the symbol for the Republican Party in one of his political cartoons. Also, the first zoo opened up in the U.S.
Artist: Thomas Moran (1837-1926) and his family left England during the industrialization of Europe and moved to Philadelphia. Thomas became an apprentice to a wood engraving firm where he discovered his love for painting. He returned to London to learn from JMW Turner and Turner admired Moran's work so much that he was given his own studio. Moran returned to the U.S. and took part in a geological expedition as a documenter/painter. Without his documentations of Yellowstone and Colorado Congress would not have set aside the lands as National Parks. (thomasmoran.org)
Painting: Moran takes us to "The Cliffs of Green River" in Utah. The storm follows behind the expedition party, foreshadowing man's take over the land, pushing everything aside in their "westward" fever. The lushness of the riverbed grasses contrasts with the dry, rocky mountain mesas in the distance. The pioneers help to give perspective to the mountain mesas, showing their massiveness.
History: In 1874 the U.S. Greenback Party was organized by the farmers who had been hurt financially in 1873.
Thomas Nast gave the elephant as the symbol for the Republican Party in his cartoons.
Also, the first zoo opened up in the U.S.
Artist: Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) was born in Germany and two years later emigrated with his family to Massachusetts. In 1853 he went back to Germany to better learn how to paint Alpine landscapes. When he returned to the U.S., he joined many westward-heading expedition groups. During his travels he took many pictures and made many sketches, which would be his models for his paintings back in his New York studio. Bierstadt remained as the foremost painter of the American west for the rest of the 19th century. (albertbierstadt.org)
Painting: Bierstadt brings us into the cozy shades of this forest to remark upon the towering strength of the redwood trees. He reminds us of the height of these awe-inspiring plants by putting his expedition companions at the tree's base. Everything in the forest seems to shrink before the king of the woods. Only the gently, flowing water can compete with the king for importance. She gives him a drink, but yet also erodes away the dirt and stone at his feet, reminding us who the real powers in the forest are.
Sunlight on the Coast, Winslow Homer, 1890, From the collection of: The Toledo Museum of Art
History: The U.S. census of 1890 totaled the population of the U.S at 62,979,766. The Wright brothers printed the "Dayton Tattler", the creation of an African American poet.
The Battle of Wounded Knee occurred during the last major battle between the Americans and Indians, in South Dakota.
Artist: Winslow Homer (1836-1910)was born and raised in Boston. He started out in art doing print-making but later realized his passion for painting. He was very influenced by the Civil War and it become the subject of many of his paintings. He later moved to the seaside of the East Coast which become another great inspiration. With his style, Homer was known as one of the greatest painters of 19th cen. America. (winslowhomer.org)
Painting: Homer got his inspiration for "Sunlight on the Coast" from some time spent in Maine. The waves crashing against the rocks, releasing their sea spray can make us feel the wind and hear the turbulence. The sunlight far from the rocks reveals a barely visible ship on the horizon. The ship rocking back and forth, unable to communicate with anyone gives the picture a certain sadness about it.
The Concord Meadow, Childe Hassam, ca. 1891, From the collection of: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
History: In 1891 Congress passed the International Copyright Act.
Thomas Edison presented his strip motion picture film to the public. (The first movie!) He would later that year also patent the radio.
Carnegie Hall opens in New York with its first musical guest being Tchaikovsky.
Painter: Frederick Childe Hassam (1859-1935) grew up in Boston. His family was not very supportive of his love of art, but after an unhappy accounting apprenticeship Hassam was given an art career. Through his works he has become known as one of the great American Impressionists of the 19th century. (frederickhassam.org)
Painting: Hassam brings us to a beautiful prairie meadow in the summer. The warmth of the sun shines down on the grass and the stream. The wind blows through the reeds and plants creating the sensation of ocean waves in the prairie. The clouds pass by silently, while the trees in the distance seem to be calling us to enjoy the view.
Mist in Kanab Canyon, Utah, Thomas Moran, 1892, From the collection of: Smithsonian American Art Museum
History: In 1892 Ellis Island opened up as the official immigration center of the east coast. It welcomed more than 12 million immigrants until it closed in 1954.
The first official game of basketball was played in Springfield, MA.
Artist: Thomas Moran (1837-1926) left for Philadelphia with his family during the Industrialization of Europe. Thomas became an apprentice to a wood engraving firm where he discovered his love for painting. He returned to London to learn from JMW Turner and Turner admired Moran's work so much that he was given his own studio. Moran returned to the U.S. and took part in a geological expedition as a documenter/painter. Without his documentations of Yellowstone and Colorado, Congress would not have set aside the lands as National Parks. (thomasmoran.org)
Painting: Moran takes us again to experience the massiveness of Utah's scenery. The boulders at the base give us only a taste of what the hovering cloud is covering up. The early morning, gentle fog gives the view a mystical sensation. Moran makes us feel as though this is something we are fortunate to see. We again find ourselves feeling unworthy before the majesty of God's creation.
The South Ledges, Appledore, Childe Hassam, 1913, From the collection of: Smithsonian American Art Museum
History: In 1913 the 16th Amendment was ratified for collecting the income tax.
The Panama Canal construction comes to a close.
The first moving assembly line is used by Ford Motors, saving an average of 10 hours per car.
Artist: Frederick Childe Hassam (1859-1935)grew up in Boston. His family was not very supportive of his love of art, but after an unhappy accounting apprenticeship Hassam was given an art career. Through his works he has become known as one of the great American Impressionists of the 19th century. (frederickhassam.org)
Painting: Hassam brings out the beauty of a warm spring day spent at Maine's seaside. The purity of the young girl, enjoying the warmth and sea air, is echoed by the rocks and the whites used in the waves. In fact her being is so humble we see the ocean before we notice she is sitting there.
Sources: americasbesthistory.com
Credits: All media
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