The American Renaissance

Artistic Expressions in Antebellum America

Overview

An artistic movement in America lasting from c. 1830-1880 Marked by an emerging fascination with the American wilderness American artists exert their independence from Europe and traditional artistic expressions to forge new styles and techniques

The World of Letters: Transcendentalism

The truly educated person can transcend the physical world through spirituality and an awareness and appreciation of nature The significance of nature is highlighted New England-centered movement; predominantly Massachussettes

Transcendentalist Literature: Emerson

One of the most outspoken and influential transcendentalist writers was Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) Emphasized the need for American literature and education to be independent from European influence An strong abolitionist, much of Emerson's work had anti-slavery undertones Felt the role of government should be limited with more emphasis placed on the individual

Emerson

Transcendentalist Literature: Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), a contemporary of Emerson with much influence of his own Politically outspoken; an ardent abolitionist "Civil Disobedience" is best known work; insists individuals must act based on morality, not legality Gave many public lectures condemning slavery in an effort to convince both the public and politicians of the immorality of the institution

Thoreau

Transcendentalist Literature: Fuller

Margaret Fuller (1810-1850) was one of America's first feminists, as well as a writer, poet, editor and orator Like her contemporaries in the Transcendentalist movement, a strong abolitionist Likened the abolitionist cause to the emerging feminist movement Found the Transcendentalist movement particularly appealing to the feminist cause

Fuller

The World of Painting: the Hudson River School

The first school of American art Influenced by the Transcendentalist literature movement Sought a liberated and self-determining artistic style separate from European traditionalism Focused on nature; known primarily for epic landscape paintings which depict the vast American wilderness

Hudson River School Artists: Cole

Thomas Cole (1801-1848), painter and writer Landscape painter focusing largely on the contrast of nature and civilization Expounds in his writings the major differences between the European and American wildernesses, largely the lack of open spaces mainly differentiate the two Concerned with the rise of development

Thomas Cole: The Oxbow

Hudson River School Artists: Durand

Asher B. Durand (1796-1886), contemporary of Cole's Landscape painter in the same vein as Cole Concerned with development and the risk it played on the virtually untouched West Durand's Kindred Spirits became the epic piece of the Hudson River School movement

Durand: Kindred Spirits