Asher B. Durand (American, 1796-1886),Landscape (Birch and Oaks),circa 1855-57
Asher B. Durand,considered a founder of the Hudson River School along with Thomas Cole was also identified with the progressive practices of plein air (outdoor) painting and innovative pictorial types.By the 1850s forest interiors in a compressed vertical format,as seen in this outdoor study,had become Durand's signature compositional type.Here,the diagonal thrust of the tree dominates the foreground,while crisply delineated textures and contrasts of light and shadow convey minute detail,suggesting careful study from nature.
Asher B. Durand (American, 1796-1886),Landscape (Birch and Oaks),circa 1855-57
Asher B. Durand,considered a founder of the Hudson River School along with Thomas Cole was also identified with the progressive practices of plein air (outdoor) painting and innovative pictorial types.By the 1850s forest interiors in a compressed vertical format,as seen in this outdoor study,had become Durand's signature compositional type.Here,the diagonal thrust of the tree dominates the foreground,while crisply delineated textures and contrasts of light and shadow convey minute detail,suggesting careful study from nature.