Hudson River School - Historical and Contemporary Visions

In the past I have often walked quickly by any paintings which were dominated by the greens and brown tones used by the members of The Hudson River School because I found found them somewhat depressing.  However, the opportunity presented itself to visit the Albany Institute of History & Art which built its collection by acquiring works that represent the artistic inclination of artists living and working in the Upper Hudson Valley.  

The summer exhibit was entitled The Hudson River School and the Nineteenth-Century Landscape. 
Given the breath of the Institute's collection, there were a wide variety of artists and themes on display.  Consequently, I learned that The Judson River School artists when way beyond pasture scenes with cows or dark, dark forests.

James M. Hart, Valley Lands

Thomas Cole, Lake Winnepesaukee

Wandering through the two floor of the exhibit, I found many artists who
were unknown and made me realize that the Hudson River School should not be ignored.

John Vanderlyn, A Distant View of the Fall at Niagara

Asher B. Durant, Cathedral Ledge

DeWitt Clinton Boutelle, Catskills Mountain House

After truly enjoying many landscapes from the Hudson Valley School, I moved on to the SMALL + SEDUCTIVE: Contemporary Art from the Albany Institute's Collection.  It is difficult to share images of this show, but some of my favorites were done by  William B. Shade, Judy Alderfer-Abott, George Wexler and Marjorie  Portmaw.

It is often the unexpected that offers the most pleasure.  While waiting to meet my husband Jim, I had enough time to peek into the show SUMMER EXPLORE: Photographic Works by Martin Benjamin, Tom Fels, Dana Hoey, Will Jaeger and Caroly Blackwood.  As I walked through the several galleries housing the pictures by photographers, I started to ponder the difference between painting and photography.  When I got to the Carolyn Blackwood photographs I was simply amazed! A quote described her as a "misplaced painter who has a camera rather a paint brush" and I knew I had to think about photography in a new way. While looking at the Elements of Place, the barrier between photography and painting melted away from me.  Ms. Blackwood takes her inspiration from the Hudson River in upstate New York and the results are extraordinary beautiful.

Leaving the Albany Institute of History and Art, I was reminded how artists can often be placed on a continuum of art history. For this reason, I found it rewarding to view the original artists of the Hudson River School and discover how they influenced those who can after them.  I also realized that medium is not as significant as creative impulse.