1. The Oxbow, by Thomas Cole, a noted Hudson River School artist American Art

2. Most of early American art (from the late 18th century through the early 19th century) consists of history painting and portraits.

6. Stressed creativity and emotion Inspired by nature The American wilderness Henry Wadsworth Longfellow “Paul Revere’s Ride”

7. Wanted American to "ignore the courtly Muses of Europe“ Define a distinct vision for American art. Did not want Americans to rely on the Europeans Part of the Transcendentalist movement Ralph Waldo Emerson

8. Founded by Asher Durand Influenced by Romanticism and Emerson’s call for a distinct vision for American art. Painted lush landscapes Many traveled west for inspiration Hudson River School

9. 1791 – 1886 Founder of the Hudson River School "Let [the artist] scrupulously accept whatever [nature] presents him until he shall, in a degree, have become intimate with her infinity...never let him profane her sacredness by a willful departure from truth." Self Portrait

11. “Kindred Spirits”

12. 1801 – 1848 Self Portrait

15. 1826 – 1900

16. NIAGARA FALLSNIAGARA FALLS

17. Natural Bridge

18. 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

19. Nathaniel Hawthorne- The Scarlet Letter Inspired by the 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 ordinary people