We will be comparing two major styles of the Romantic Era, the two styles include the Hudson River School to the Pre-Raphaelites. You will get a taste of the inspiring landscape of the Hudson River School and the captivating symbolic world of the Pre-Raphaelites.
Hudson School-
These artists are captivated by the vast wilderness the world has to offer and is seen to capture spiritual essence.
Kindred Spirit(1849)
By: Asher B. Durand
This beautiful portrait depicts Thomas Cole, also known as the founding father of the school, and William Cullen Bryant a known editor, embodying the nature. The detailing lining within the rocks, trees, each leaf, it give off that emotion of deep observation and the overall respect for nature in the world. Another element would be the use of light and shadow that is shown across this whole portrait, it also creates a sense of depth and it help draw you in as a viewer. All these elements form to that dramatic emotion it gives off, like you're actually there. Many emotions are given off in this masterpiece and get you thinking if you don't notice nature's beauty as much as you should.
View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a Thunderstorm- The Oxbow(1836)
By: Thomas Cole
This masterpiece is an American landscape painting that can can have an inspiring interpretations. the tree in the lower left is seen as untamed wilderness and also what nature could offer. The lining within this portrait is intriguing as well, the diagonal line that goes from right and up to the left, splits the composition into two which in a way creates two perspectives. Another element that sticks out, is the use of color in the clouds, the vibrant colors represent it being after a storm, which then details the landscape below to create a sense of awe and just the power of nature. The composition on the right side also seems a lot more calm and peaceful then the left side.
Both of these artworks are truly inspiring and beautiful in their own and and some similar. These bot evoke a sense of wonder and natures essence. these artist are no doubt skillful with rendering light, detail, and texture. All of these allow the viewer to feel nature's beauty through a portrait. It also creates a sense of realism and a calm state of mind.
Pre-Raphaelites-
These artist sought to bring back the detail and purity of early Renaissance art. It is know they love incorporating their works with literary and moral themes.
The Lady of Shalott(1888)
By: John William Waterhouse
This artwork present a woman who is caught between love and death. This woman deals with the dramatic fate of being confined. The composition held within this portrait gives of the feeling of isolation and despair. You can also see some emotion given off from the woman from her face, and this gives you that idea of what she might be going through. The use of vibrant colors add to that layer of dramaticness. The lining used in the dress and the trees give that sense of beauty tied with sadness. This artwork embraces symbolism, and themes of isolation. Another element would be the use of light and love how its seen as a low natural light.
Ophelia(1851-1852)
By: John Everett Millais
This artwork is seen as one of the greatest in Pre-Raphaelites style. This painting depicts the drowning of Ophelia, which is due to the lack of loyalty of her lover and the death of her father. Off the bat you can see great detailing with the nature around her. This masterpiece also represents details within literature due to the inspiration of Shakespeare, specifically the play "Hamlet". The use of color and detailing for the flowers and leaves tied with the lifeless emotion given off from Ophelia, it creates a sense of beauty, but a haunting beauty in a way. This artwork is a great example of the exploration of death, sorrow, and love.
The Pre-Raphaelites artwork are no doubt visually beautiful and hold great meaning. Some artworks are seen to have a super complex narratives and symbolism. however, they invoke a great deal of emotions, that can range from sadness to death to fascination to curiosity, which people including myself find great beauty in.
Contrast-
While both of these styles find inspiration with beauty in nature, their intentions do seem to differ. With the Hudson River School, its seen more to elevate the american landscape, and just give off a sense of appreciation for the unique nature, as well as a sense of pride. The Pre-Raphaelites kind of used nature as a backdrop layer,which helps the viewer with depicting and exploring the human emotions, other emotions given off, and literary narratives.
Overall, both of these styles and all the works within them made a mark on the art world. These works will continue to help inspire new artist and just remind the viewer of the power art can have when capturing nature's beauty and other complex experiences.
Bibliography
Dr. Mindy Besaw, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Dr. Steven Zucker, "Asher B. Durand, Kindred Spirits," in Smarthistory, November 3, 2022, accessed October 27, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/asher-b-durand-kindred-spirits/.
Harmon, R. (2022, November 2). Kindred spirits by Asher Brown Durand: Analysis and history. Medium. https://medium.com/the-smartie-newsletter/kindred-spirits-by-asher-brown-durand-analysis-and-history-e4cd6562658e
American, T. C. (1970, January 1). Thomas Cole: View from Mount Holyoke, Northampton, Massachusetts, after a thunderstorm-the oxbow: American. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/10497
Thomas Cole, the Oxbow. Smarthistory Thomas Cole The Oxbow Comments. (n.d.). https://smarthistory.org/cole-the-oxbow/
John William Waterhouse, the lady of shalott. Smarthistory John William Waterhouse The Lady of Shalott Comments. (n.d.). https://smarthistory.org/waterhouse-the-lady-of-shalott/
(2019, June 4). The visual analysis of the representation of women in sir John Everett Millais’s Ophelia (1851). Medium. https://medium.com/@550496694/the-visual-analysis-of-the-representation-of-women-in-sir-john-everett-millaiss-ophelia-1851-d5a1cf7aa2e9
You've done a great job comparing the two perspectives, as they differ greatly from one another. Personally, I prefer the Hudson River School perspective over the Pre-Raphaelite perspective because, unlike the Pre-Raphaelite artwork, which often comes with a built-in narrative, the Hudson River School invites viewers to let their imaginations wander. This openness allows us to create our own stories in response to the artwork. However, I believe the Pre-Raphaelite perspective offers more drama and emotion, which really captures the viewer's attention.
ReplyDeleteHey, I enjoyed your analyses of the two movements, you did a great job explaining the intents behind them. When you mentioned the sense of pride in link to the Hudson River School, it really resonated as the painting really seem to show that pride in the nature. Of the two styles I find the Pre-Raphaelite style more enrapturing with the visuals and emotions present. Overall it was a great read, thanks for sharing!
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