Luminism Hudson River School
Alfred Thompson Bricher was a painter associated with White Mountain art and the Hudson River School.
In the 1870s, he primarily did maritime themed paintings, with attention to watercolor paintings of landscape, marine, and coastwise scenery. He often spent summers in Grand Manan, where he produced such notable works as Morning at Grand Manan (1878). In 1879, Bricher was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Associate member.
Frederic Edwin Church was an American landscape painter, renowned as a central figure of the Hudson River School. Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Church became famous for his detailed and expansive landscapes which often incorporated a blend of realistic detail and dramatic lighting, epitomizing the Romantic approach to landscape painting.
Church's career was marked by his unique ability to blend meticulous natural observation with a grandiose sense of scale and drama. His paintings, such as "The Heart of the Andes" and "Niagara," showcased his skill in depicting vast and diverse natural environments with scientific accuracy and vivid imagination. These works were not just celebrations of natural beauty but also demonstrations of Church's deep engagement with the places he painted, often based on extensive travels and on-the-spot sketches.
Apart from his mastery in painting, Church also had a significant impact on cultural institutions and public spaces. He was a founding trustee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and served as a Parks Commissioner in New York City. His contributions went beyond the canvas, influencing both the cultural landscape of his time and the preservation of natural and historic sites through his later life efforts, including the establishment of his home, Olana, as a historic site.
For those interested in the ongoing legacy of Frederic Edwin Church, updates on exhibitions and related events can be obtained through subscriptions focused on his works. This is an excellent way for collectors and art enthusiasts to stay connected with the vibrant history and enduring impact of Church's art.
William Trost Richards was an American landscape artist. He was associated with both the Hudson River School and the American Pre-Raphaelite movement.
In the 1870s, he produced many acclaimed watercolor views of the White Mountains, several of which are now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Richards exhibited at the National Academy of Design from 1861 to 1899, and at the Brooklyn Art Association from 1863 to 1885. He was elected a full member of the National Academy in 1871.
Francis Augustus Silva was an American Luminist painter of the Hudson River School. His specialty was marine scenes, particularly of the Atlantic coast, a genre in which he masterfully captured the subtle gradations of light in the coastal atmosphere. He focused on romantic scenes, avoiding depictions of seaside recreation, even when painting scenes at Coney Island, which was then already a popular recreational area.