The Oxbow, by Thomas Cole, a noted Hudson River School artist

Most of early American art (from the late 18th century through the early 19th century) consists of historical paintings and portraits.

Stressed creativity, feeling and emotion Inspired by nature The American wilderness Reaction to Age of Reason and enlightenment Universe was not a static mechanism but rather oranic and constantly changing

An American philosophy starting in the mid 19 th century in New England An American philosophy starting in the mid 19 th century in New England Transcendentalists believed in the inherent goodness of both man and nature Transcendentalists believed in the inherent goodness of both man and nature Self Reliance Self Reliance Believed that individuals needed to look inside themselves for truth Believed that individuals needed to look inside themselves for truth Man’s greatness is found in the individual, not in the group Man’s greatness is found in the individual, not in the group

Lived in Concord, MA Lived in Concord, MA Minister, teacher, writer Minister, teacher, writer Mostly wrote essays and poems Mostly wrote essays and poems Founder of Transcendentalism Founder of Transcendentalism

Emerson’s student Emerson’s student Poet and essayist Poet and essayist Writings stressed individuality, freedom, and the relationship between the soul and the outside word Writings stressed individuality, freedom, and the relationship between the soul and the outside word Authored Walden and Civil Disobedience Authored Walden and Civil Disobedience

Thoreau believed there were two times when open rebellion is justified: Thoreau believed there were two times when open rebellion is justified: when the injustice is no longer occasional but a major characteristic when the injustice is no longer occasional but a major characteristic when the machine (government) demands that people cooperate with injustice. when the machine (government) demands that people cooperate with injustice. Thoreau declared that, “If the government requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.” Thoreau declared that, “If the government requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.”

The American Renaissance flourished in the mid- 1800s characterized by renewed national self-confidence. The American preoccupation with national identity (or nationalism) Americans felt that their civilization was coming of age.

Nathaniel Hawthorne- The Scarlet Letter Inspired by the Salem Witchcraft trials Washington Irving- “Rip Van Winkle” & “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” First American writer to gain fame in Europe Herman Melville- Moby Dick Desire to kill a white whale Edgar Allen Poe- “Murders in Rue Morgue” Wrote the 1 st detective stories Walt Whitman- Leaves of Grass Unrhymed poems about lives of ordinary people

Founded by Thomas Cole and Asher Durand Influenced by Romanticism and Emerson’s call for a distinct vision for American art. sense of awe for its majestic natural resources and a feeling of optimism for the huge potential it held depicted a New World wilderness in which man was minuscule but retained a divine spark that completed the circle of harmony. depicted a New World wilderness in which man was minuscule but retained a divine spark that completed the circle of harmony. Hudson River School

Thomas Cole 1801 – 1848 Self Portrait Founder of the Hudson River School

“Kindred Spirits” Asher Durand 1791 – 1886

1826 – 1900 Niagara Falls

Natural Bridge

Drew birds, mammals, plants, and other subjects of nature Drew them as he floated down the Mississippi River His Birds of America is the most important work on birds ever published Today the Audubon Society continues his spirit of protecting birds and their habitats