1. American Romanticism in Art American Studies Wohlgemuth/Lister

2. American Romanticism  1790-1850: The Antebellum or “pre-war” period  What are the major elements of Romanticism?  Romantics… -value nature and often view it from a spiritual angle -value the development of the “self”- especially self- analysis and the concept of the “psyche” -value emotion over order (dislike neoclassical emphasis on order, proportion, and reason- a reaction to enlightenment theory) -viewed society as constraining and limiting to one’s growth and potential. Society is too strict and suppresses the self -were interested in the “antique,” medieval tales, ballads, Norse and Celtic mythology, and Gothic culture -valued individuality and development of individual expressions and styles

3. Major Themes in Romantic Period Art  Romanticizing of Nature  Romantic Nationalism  Romanticizing of Indians –Concept of the “Noble Savage”

4. What was going on in History during this time?  Industrialization  Transition to a Market Economy (capitalism)  Women in the Workplace  Notions of Republican Motherhood  The Second Great Awakening  Expansion and Territorial Growth of US (Louisiana Purchase of 1803, War of 1812, Mexican-American War of 1848)

5. Emmanuel Leutze  “Washington Crossing the Delaware” is his most famous painting  Born in Germany, Leutze captures the romantic notions of American nationalism

7. Edward Hicks  A devout Quaker and minister  Many of his images are religious  Designed to illicit emotion from the viewer  Not drawn to scale-  organic painting as opposed to  neoclassical rules of painting  His most famous work was the  “Peaceable Kingdom”

11. John James Audubon  First American who attempted to draw all species of American birds  This quest illustrates his love for the natural world (romanticizes nature) as well as America (romantic nationalism)  The Audubon Society exists in his honor, which celebrates bird watching and advocates other environmental causes

14. George Caitlin  Romanticized the Indian  Popularized the “Noble Savage” image  Complimented James Fenimore Cooper’s concept of the Native American

18. Winslow Homer -Lots of idyllic scenes

21. The Hudson River School  1835-1870  First American form of landscape painting  Subjects of art were landscapes of the Hudson Valley, Adirondack Mountains, Catskills, and White Mountains of New Hampshire  “School” refers to a group of people whose outlook, inspiration, or style reflects common elements, NOT an actual learning institution

22. Hudson River School  Paintings reveal three themes: 1.Discovery 2.Exploration 3.Settlement

23. Hudson River School  Paintings depict America as pastoral/idyllic- where humans and nature co-exist peacefully  Landscapes are often realistic, detailed, and sometimes idealized portrayals of nature  Some artists viewed nature as a manifestation of G-d. Therefore, many of the Hudson River paintings reflect this belief through use of soft hues and divine sources of light  Many of the artists drew inspiration from Transcendentalist writers like Thoreau and Emerson

24. Thomas Cole

27. Thomas Moran