Description: This is a lovely and historically Important Antique Folk Art 19th c. Hudson River School Oil Painting, depicting a small sailboat in the Hudson River Valley, with a majestic mountain range, delicately painted tree lines, and a waterfall in the distance. The setting is very serene and harkens back to a wondrous time in New York's history when the state was very much uninhabited and untouched by man. The sailboat bears a finely detailed American flag, which judging from its configuration and rows of stars, likely dates the painting to 1863 - 1865, when the nation had 36 States. This piece is unsigned, but perhaps you recognize the artist or their work? Approximately 12 1/2 x 16 inches (including frame.) Actual artwork is approximately 9 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches. Good condition overall for 150+ years of age, with several small tears along the corners and edges (please see photos.) These would be easy and inexpensive to fix with a competent art restorer, and this painting is absolutely worth restoration. This charming piece of early Americana would be a delightful addition to any home or collection. Please check out my other listings for more wonderful and unique artworks! About the Hudson River School: The Hudson River SchoolStarted: 1826Ended: 1870 Summary of The Hudson River SchoolSearching for a national style of art, the American landscape itself - large and untamed - was the primary focus of the Hudson River School painters. American expansion and Manifest Destiny imbued the untamed countryside with the symbolism of the country's promised prosperity and limitless resources. The terrain provided an alternative to European culture and history; it became a picturesque, patriotic, and inspirational theme. This loosely connected group of painters explored the nation, returning to their New York studios to paint large-scale works that thrilled audiences and celebrated the awesome power of nature and the progress of man. Key Ideas & AccomplishmentsLong considered a profitable, but lowly, subject for serious artists (since it involved merely copying what was seen), landscape painting received new attention in the mid-19th century. Like Romantic painters in Britain and Germany, Hudson River School artists embraced the landscape as a meaningful subject, precisely as industrialization began to change terrains and reshape man's connection to his environment. The Americans both championed these forces of modernization and lamented what was lost in the name of "progress."Generations of American painters had returned to Europe for training and adopted the styles and subjects of Old World artists. The Hudson River School painters desired a more native tradition, painting recognizably American scenes. Personally and professionally, they formed networks with writers and philosophers to create a distinct American culture.Artists like Thomas Cole invested the landscape with symbolism, suggesting that these natural scenes could be transformed into meaningful allegories, as well as immersive and transformative experiences for the viewer. With their careful attention to realism and precise illusionism, as well as complex messaging and awe-inspiring vistas, the resulting canvases could be appreciated on both intellectual and emotional levels.The second generation of Hudson River School painters left the New York area to explore more far-flung regions of America. Their painting documented westward expansion and reinforced the concept of Manifest Destiny. During the Civil War, their majestic images of an unspoiled West provided hope for post-war reconciliation and the promise of expanses of wild country, full of promise and unscarred by battle.
Price: 975 USD
Location: Orange, California
End Time: 2024-02-25T21:36:00.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Size: Small
Region of Origin: California, USA
Artist: Unknown
Production Technique: Oil Painting
Framing: Framed
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Style: Hudson River School, Americana, Folk Art, Realism
Item Height: 12 1/2 in
Item Width: 16 in
Material: Oil, Canvas
Time Period Produced: 1850-1899
Type: Painting
Subject: Hudson River, Forest, Nautical, Ships
Culture: Hudson River School
Signed: No
Original/Licensed Reproduction: Original