Exhibition Catalog Essay by Wayne Lempka
Carrying On Tradition: A River that Runs Deep
The tradition of painting the landscape in the Hudson River Valley is unparalleled in American art. Since the early 1800s, artists have traversed this area, being inspired by its pristine beauty and in search of a ‘divine spirit.’ Beginning in 1826 with English-born painter Thomas Cole (1801-1848), the founder of what is known today as the Hudson River School, artists began to explore a romantic view of the river yet at the same time helped others to become aware of the encroaching threats of modernism. A fear that the landscape would be altered dramatically and permanently by the Industrial Revolution was always foremost on these artists’ minds.
Contemporary artists, such as the ones in this exhibition, continue to see changes to this same river due to our nation’s explosive growth, and the landscape as a symbol of conflict between industry and nature. Certainly these modern day Hudson River School artists are not shy with regards to expressing their concerns about the environment but like their 19th century predecessors, our area’s unique natural beauty is a motivating factor in their decision to devote their careers to landscape painting. While being a realist and a landscape painter in the contemporary art world is seen as somewhat of a counter- cultural path to follow, these artists continue to paint the landscape because it still has a mesmorizing effect over them.
These modern-day artists want viewers to also become more aware of nature’s peaceful tranquility which many times is shown in their paintings by using the sky as an essential focal point. The fact that these artists are following in the footsteps of the past is validating the use of the landscape as a means of artistic expression.
Like their predecessors, painters in this exhibition present us with canvases that become hypnotic because of their reverence to the glories of nature. They have a style of painting that entices the art lover with its mystery and power that is directly connected to the artists who were part of the original Hudson River School. The vast color palette used by these artists builds on the 19th century tradition of celebrating the richness found in the Hudson River’s scenery. These artists continue to actively ask viewers to open their eyes to both the beauty that is found in our area and to fight against environmental changes that in any way would compromise the uniqueness of a landscape that has for generations inspired others in their pursuit of artistic excellence. Wayne Lempka
Wayne Lempka is a museum professional, art historian, independent curator and has authored numerous articles on the visual arts. He is presently the Art Collections Manager at the Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art at the State University of New York at New Paltz and is an adjunct lecturer in the Art History Department at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Mr. Lempka’s specialty is 19th century American painting and photography.