Intricate Paintings of Nature
Durand was one of the first people to establish the concept that art was unique in every single aspect. Before 1825 and the Hudson River School, artists did not pay attention to the landscape. They saw that it was insignificant in paintings. American artists and European artists thought that nature was overall very plain. They believed that there was hardly any variation in the landscape; all the trees look the same. However, through his paintings, Durand was able to show a different perspective to the artists. He made artists perceive nature in a different way. Below, are paintings of trees and rocks that Durand painted. Although, they are the same subject in most paintings, Durand showed that nature was varied everywhere with his paintings.
The painting to the right is called A Study of a Wood Interior. It was painted in 1850 by Asher Durand. In this painting, Durand focuses on the ruggedness of nature. He paints a scene where the trees have overgrown on some rocks. There are so many trees in this forest that some trees, such as the one in the middle of the painting, are forced to grow on top of rocks instead of soil in order to survive. Durand’s painting style is very meticulous. His painting does not deviate from what he actually saw. He painted an exact replica of the scene. The thin branches and the tiny leaves upon some of the branches demonstrates his precise style with the paintbrush. Durand incorporated a lot of textures in his paintings. The rough, coarse texture of the rock is contrasted with the lush, furry texture of the moss. He included the tiniest detail in his paintings. There are small individual leaves on some of the branches on a tree. Here, Durand paints an interesting scene. Instead of doing a majestic view from the mountains or painting a grand scene, he chooses to make the subject of his painting an overgrown rock. Durand chose to paint this simple scene to prove his point that nature varied everywhere. His painting depicts a scene where nature has gone wild. Nature is spreading everywhere. In the painting, the moss represents the growth of nature. The moss has grown all over the tops of the rocks and is slowly creeping towards the crevice made in the rocks. It is also growing around the edges of the rocks.
A Study of the Wood Interior, proves Durand’s point that nature is different everywhere. He painted a tree that engulfed everything with its roots and the moss. The rock is overwhelmed with all the roots and moss. Near the rocks in the front of the painting, there is a small tree sapling that is starting to grow tall. The leaves are flourishing on the thin branches of the tree. However, the tree on top of the rocks contrasts this tree. It has grown so tall that it cannot be fitted into the picture. By painting two different kind of trees, Durand was conveying the message that there is individuality in nature; all trees do not look the same. They vary all around the country and even in the forests. Durand was a divergent leader; he set the standard for landscape painting. He introduced the idea of nature being an unique force by painting many paintings of the same subject. In this way, Durand was revolutionary because he had different notions about nature. Most artists saw that nature was similar everywhere. They thought it dull because there was no variety. But, Durand proved to other artists through his art, that nature was a diverse force. This inspired many artists to paint landscapes because Durand was able to open a new perspective to artists. Durand's paintings made artists see that nature is truly stunning. Thus, Durand encouraged artists to paint landscapes through his leadership. The painting above demonstrates that Durand incorporated nationalism in art because Durand painted a rock overgrown with a tree on top of it. Durand's resolve to prove the magnificence of nature with his paintings such as ones that focused primarily on rocks shows his pride in America. His artwork showed that everything in nature is an unique feature of America. For this reason, his art captured the patriotism for America. His patriotic paintings caused America's identity to be created. Durand and the Hudson River School artists made landscape paintings that portrayed the splendor of the country. They were able to show that America was an extraordinary country. Their art conveyed national pride in the country; this national pride was spread to Americans through their artwork. Americans who viewed the works of the Hudson River School were able to appreciate their country and be grateful for it. Therefore, the Hudson River School art was the national identity. Their art recognized the magnificence of America for all its aspects even the ordinary things such as rocks. Americans became prideful of their country because of Durand's art along with other Hudson River School paintings demonstrated that even the rocks in America are extraordinary. The creation of a national pride was important in American history. Americans were finally looking at their own country and admiring it. They were finally praising their own country. The national identity made Americans turned towards their own country for inspiration. Artwork was no longer an imitation of British art; it was truly American art.
A Study of the Wood Interior, proves Durand’s point that nature is different everywhere. He painted a tree that engulfed everything with its roots and the moss. The rock is overwhelmed with all the roots and moss. Near the rocks in the front of the painting, there is a small tree sapling that is starting to grow tall. The leaves are flourishing on the thin branches of the tree. However, the tree on top of the rocks contrasts this tree. It has grown so tall that it cannot be fitted into the picture. By painting two different kind of trees, Durand was conveying the message that there is individuality in nature; all trees do not look the same. They vary all around the country and even in the forests. Durand was a divergent leader; he set the standard for landscape painting. He introduced the idea of nature being an unique force by painting many paintings of the same subject. In this way, Durand was revolutionary because he had different notions about nature. Most artists saw that nature was similar everywhere. They thought it dull because there was no variety. But, Durand proved to other artists through his art, that nature was a diverse force. This inspired many artists to paint landscapes because Durand was able to open a new perspective to artists. Durand's paintings made artists see that nature is truly stunning. Thus, Durand encouraged artists to paint landscapes through his leadership. The painting above demonstrates that Durand incorporated nationalism in art because Durand painted a rock overgrown with a tree on top of it. Durand's resolve to prove the magnificence of nature with his paintings such as ones that focused primarily on rocks shows his pride in America. His artwork showed that everything in nature is an unique feature of America. For this reason, his art captured the patriotism for America. His patriotic paintings caused America's identity to be created. Durand and the Hudson River School artists made landscape paintings that portrayed the splendor of the country. They were able to show that America was an extraordinary country. Their art conveyed national pride in the country; this national pride was spread to Americans through their artwork. Americans who viewed the works of the Hudson River School were able to appreciate their country and be grateful for it. Therefore, the Hudson River School art was the national identity. Their art recognized the magnificence of America for all its aspects even the ordinary things such as rocks. Americans became prideful of their country because of Durand's art along with other Hudson River School paintings demonstrated that even the rocks in America are extraordinary. The creation of a national pride was important in American history. Americans were finally looking at their own country and admiring it. They were finally praising their own country. The national identity made Americans turned towards their own country for inspiration. Artwork was no longer an imitation of British art; it was truly American art.
This painting is the Rocky Cliff by Asher Durand. It was created in 1860. The focus on the painting is the rocks on the cliff. This second painting on rocks shows Durand’s leadership skills. He was able to set the standard for landscape painting. Durand made landscape painting important because he emphasized on the fact that nature was full of different aspects. In this painting, Durand paints rocks that are smoother than the rocks in his painting, A Study of a Wood Interior. In addition, the color palette is different. The colors in this painting are more somber. There are darker colors of green, brown, and some yellow. The color palette indicates that the painting was painted during autumn. There are lots of shades of brown to convey that all the plants are wilting and dying in the fall. Durand painted dark green plants with a tinge of brown at the edges of the leaves and grass to show they are wilting. In contrast, the color palette in A Study of a Wood Interior, was very bright. Durand uses the same colors in both paintings. But, in A Study of a Wood Interior, the colors are brighter than the colors in the Rocky Cliff. Another difference in the two paintings is the mood of the paintings. Durand was able to convey a grim mood in the Rocky Cliff by painting the moss and grass as lifeless plants. In the painting, the moss is hanging barely onto the rocks. It is only able to cling to the rocks on the narrow ledges. There are small patches of moss that are spread some distance apart to indicate that nature is slowly dying in this landscape. A Study of a Wood Interior contrasts with this painting. In that painting, it portrays the moss clinging to the rocks and thriving. Some parts of the rock are obscure with the moss because it has grown over everything.
Through his paintings, Durand was able to show the differences in nature. Although, he painted rocks in two paintings, the paintings are two completely different works of art. In the Rocky Cliff, Durand depicts a scene from autumn. In A Study of a Wood Interior, he paints a landscape in summer. The paintings indicates the different phases in nature; it is a constantly changing force. Durand open new perspectives in art. Artists were starting to appreciate the beauty of nature because of Durand. He proved that even the simplest objects in nature varies. There is no end to the individualism that nature displays to mankind. Durand was able to advance American art. As a result, he inspired other artists to paint landscapes because his painting proved individualism in nature. Durand made nature seem like a fascinating subject to paint which in turn made artists paint more landscapes. In addition, Durand made American art a source of nationalism. His paintings of the rocks showed the pride that he had for the uniqueness that nature displayed in different parts of the world. Durand celebrated the smallest aspects of nature in his art like rocks; because of that, his paintings are a source of national pride since he appreciated everything about nature. He showed the stunning aspects of America and the pride he had in it. Thus, Durand was the first person to incorporate patriotism in art. This patriotism in art made America's national identity. The Hudson River School paintings formed the nation's identity because their paintings portrayed nature as an ever changing force. There is no end to its variety and it changes every season. This is like America because so many people make up America; immigrants from different countries just add to its diversity. The landscape in Durand's art is a representation of America and its uniqueness. America is diverse in its land and even in its people. This cohesion of all these different aspects make America incredible. The national identity made Americans realize the unique country they lived in. They started to admire America and be proud of their country. The formation of the nation's identity was important to the new nation. America was a new nation during the early 1800s so the development of a national identity helped the country. It made the country seem like an official country because it has its own independent identity from Great Britain. In addition, Americans were turning to their own country for inspiration for art. They were proud of their own country.
Through his paintings, Durand was able to show the differences in nature. Although, he painted rocks in two paintings, the paintings are two completely different works of art. In the Rocky Cliff, Durand depicts a scene from autumn. In A Study of a Wood Interior, he paints a landscape in summer. The paintings indicates the different phases in nature; it is a constantly changing force. Durand open new perspectives in art. Artists were starting to appreciate the beauty of nature because of Durand. He proved that even the simplest objects in nature varies. There is no end to the individualism that nature displays to mankind. Durand was able to advance American art. As a result, he inspired other artists to paint landscapes because his painting proved individualism in nature. Durand made nature seem like a fascinating subject to paint which in turn made artists paint more landscapes. In addition, Durand made American art a source of nationalism. His paintings of the rocks showed the pride that he had for the uniqueness that nature displayed in different parts of the world. Durand celebrated the smallest aspects of nature in his art like rocks; because of that, his paintings are a source of national pride since he appreciated everything about nature. He showed the stunning aspects of America and the pride he had in it. Thus, Durand was the first person to incorporate patriotism in art. This patriotism in art made America's national identity. The Hudson River School paintings formed the nation's identity because their paintings portrayed nature as an ever changing force. There is no end to its variety and it changes every season. This is like America because so many people make up America; immigrants from different countries just add to its diversity. The landscape in Durand's art is a representation of America and its uniqueness. America is diverse in its land and even in its people. This cohesion of all these different aspects make America incredible. The national identity made Americans realize the unique country they lived in. They started to admire America and be proud of their country. The formation of the nation's identity was important to the new nation. America was a new nation during the early 1800s so the development of a national identity helped the country. It made the country seem like an official country because it has its own independent identity from Great Britain. In addition, Americans were turning to their own country for inspiration for art. They were proud of their own country.
This painting is called Nature Study: A Birch Tree by Durand. He painted this in 1860. Durand concentrated on a birch tree in this painting. He pays very little attention to the surrounding land around the tree. In contrast to the meticulous details of the tree, the background in the painting is somewhat vague. Durand painted part of a lake and some grass around it. The lake and the grass have blurry, rushed paint streaks to only indicate there was some landscape behind the tree. Durand directed most of his attention on the tree. He painted most of the tree except for the very tip of it. The tree takes up most of the space on the paper which emphasized Durand’s attention for the tree. He painted tiny individual leaves on the tree and even put texture on the grass around the tree. Durand made the grass uneven with bumps. In this painting, Durand made the tree tinged with brown. It is generally assumed, that birch trees are pure white. However, this painting portrays a different view of the birch tree. The tree has patches of dark bark amid the white bark. The white bark is not even white. It has tinges of brown and yellow from the sunlight shining on it. Furthermore, part of the tree is dark with shadows which contrasts the lighter side of the tree.
Durand depicted an ordinary tree in Nature Study: A Birch Tree. However, this painting was significant because he was able to portray the unique aspects in nature. He changed the thoughts of nature for everyone. Instead, of painting a straight, white birch tree which is the image that come up in people’s minds, Durand chose to paint a crooked, dusty looking tree. The tree in Nature Study: A Birch Tree is not even planted straight; it is growing right out of the side of the dirt hill. In short, Durand was a rebellious leader in the art world because he changed artists' perceptions on nature by demonstrating in his paintings that all trees are not alike.
Durand depicted an ordinary tree in Nature Study: A Birch Tree. However, this painting was significant because he was able to portray the unique aspects in nature. He changed the thoughts of nature for everyone. Instead, of painting a straight, white birch tree which is the image that come up in people’s minds, Durand chose to paint a crooked, dusty looking tree. The tree in Nature Study: A Birch Tree is not even planted straight; it is growing right out of the side of the dirt hill. In short, Durand was a rebellious leader in the art world because he changed artists' perceptions on nature by demonstrating in his paintings that all trees are not alike.
In 1860, Durand painted a painting called Black Birches, Catskill Mountains. Durand painted another birch tree in this painting. However, he decided to depict the black birch tree. In contrast to the white birch tree in Nature Study: A Birch Tree, the bark on the black birch trees are rougher. The trees are full of nooks and crannies which are dark with shadow. Durand made all these cracks in the bark of the trees to show the unevenness of the trees and their texture. The multiple shadows on the trees indicate that the bark is bumpy and rugged. Although, the trees are called black, Durand paints the trees in their natural colors. The top of the trees are dark brown because they are in shadow. However, the back of the trees are brown with a muted shade of gray in some places. By painting small dots of gray, light brown, dark brown, and white close together on the back of the barks, Durand was able to indicate that the bark was coarse. Another difference in the black birch trees when compared to the white birch tree in Nature Study: A Birch Tree is the leaf color and shape. In this painting, the leaves are a bright green and yellow. Although, there are so many leaves painted together that they become indistinct, the shape of the leaves cannot be clearly seen. The leaves are puny specks of color that have irregular edges. However, the leaves in Nature Study: A Birch Tree have long wispy leaves on the trees. The brush strokes for the leaves are slightly longer than the brush strokes for the leaves in this painting.
Durand painted intricate paintings on trees to show that nature differed in the tiniest ways. Although, it may not seem obvious at first glance that every single tree is different, when the trees are closely examined, there are many differences. Durand's close attention to the different details of the trees made him a revolutionary leader. He set an example for other artists that trees were different all over the country. So nature was not a stagnant, never changing force. It is diverse and stunning. Durand's paintings were a model for other artists to paint landscape. For that reason, Durand's paintings encouraged artists to join the Hudson River School art movement which focused on painting landscapes in America.
Durand painted intricate paintings on trees to show that nature differed in the tiniest ways. Although, it may not seem obvious at first glance that every single tree is different, when the trees are closely examined, there are many differences. Durand's close attention to the different details of the trees made him a revolutionary leader. He set an example for other artists that trees were different all over the country. So nature was not a stagnant, never changing force. It is diverse and stunning. Durand's paintings were a model for other artists to paint landscape. For that reason, Durand's paintings encouraged artists to join the Hudson River School art movement which focused on painting landscapes in America.
This painting is called Woodland Brook by Durand. It was painted in 1859. In this painting, he painted a part of a forest. These trees differ from the trees he painted in Nature Study: A Birch Tree and even the trees in Black Birches, Catskill Mountains because the trees are closely group together. Unlike the birch trees, these trees are growing right next to each other. In Black Birches, Catskill Mountains, although, the trees are near each other, there are gaps in between the trunks of the trees to indicate that they are not close together. However, in this painting, Durand implied that the trees were growing so close to each other that there is hardly any space between them. He painted a dark space on the left side of the painting to show the closeness of the trees. The dark space has tinges of green and brown among the dominant black to imply that there are many trees within the space. There are so many trees together that it is hard to actually pick out individual trees within the group of trees. In addition, the shadowed parts of the painting indicate that there are many trees in the area because the trees are so close to each other that they block out the sunlight. As a result, there is very little sunlight. The path surrounded by trees is dark with shadows. It is dark all along it except for the end of the path where light finally breaks through the trees’s foliage and illuminates a part of the path.
One of the important aspects of this painting is the leaves on the trees. Even though there is plenty of sunlight because the sky in the background is a bright blue, very little sunlight actually reaches the ground. Durand was emphasizing the leaves of the trees in this painting because he painted the whole tree unlike in his other two paintings, Nature Study: A Birch Tree and Black Birches, Catskill Mountains. He noticed that the the trees had more leaves on them compared to the other trees he painted in his other paintings. In the painting, very little of the tree trunks are seen. Instead, Durand paid more attention to the leaves of the trees. He made the leaves cover most of the tree trunk for the tree in the center of the painting. Although, the majority of the trees have indistinct tree trunks. The tree trunks are just a faint, straight line among the leaves. The leaves are the only things that are illuminated with the sunlight in the painting. Durand made the leaves full of texture by making quick but precise brushstrokes to make the leaves seem natural. Unlike the paintings, Nature Study: A Birch Tree and Black Birches, Catskill Mountains, Durand used lots of shading on the leaves. The leaves on every single tree have many pockets of shadow and light to indicate the direction the sun was shining. The shadows varied for every single tree. But, in the other paintings there was hardly any shading on the leaves. Most of the leaves were completely dark or light.
In this painting, Durand showed a completely different perspective of trees. The painting depicts a scene where there is an abundance of trees which prevents the sunlight from shining on the forest path. On the other hand, the two other paintings, Nature Study: A Birch Tree and Black Birches, Catskill Mountains, had trees that were different from the trees in this painting. The two other paintings focused on the trunks of the trees and their bark. Especially, in the painting, Black Birches, Catskills Mountains, which cuts off most of the leaves from the trees at the top of the painting. In this painting, it focuses on the leaves because they are the only distinct parts of the paintings. However, the leaves of the trees are smaller compared to the leaves on the trees in the painting, Nature Study: A Birch Tree. These distinctions in the trees demonstrate the fact that landscapes are all unique. In this way, Durand was a revolutionary leader because he proved that the notions of nature for artists during that time was wrong. He painted many art pieces focusing on trees to show artists the variety in nature. Durand opened new doors in the art world because his landscape paintings were a model for other artists to paint landscapes. By proving the diversity found in nature, Durand inspired artists to portray their appreciation for nature through their art. These artists made art that made landscapes the subject of their paintings.
One of the important aspects of this painting is the leaves on the trees. Even though there is plenty of sunlight because the sky in the background is a bright blue, very little sunlight actually reaches the ground. Durand was emphasizing the leaves of the trees in this painting because he painted the whole tree unlike in his other two paintings, Nature Study: A Birch Tree and Black Birches, Catskill Mountains. He noticed that the the trees had more leaves on them compared to the other trees he painted in his other paintings. In the painting, very little of the tree trunks are seen. Instead, Durand paid more attention to the leaves of the trees. He made the leaves cover most of the tree trunk for the tree in the center of the painting. Although, the majority of the trees have indistinct tree trunks. The tree trunks are just a faint, straight line among the leaves. The leaves are the only things that are illuminated with the sunlight in the painting. Durand made the leaves full of texture by making quick but precise brushstrokes to make the leaves seem natural. Unlike the paintings, Nature Study: A Birch Tree and Black Birches, Catskill Mountains, Durand used lots of shading on the leaves. The leaves on every single tree have many pockets of shadow and light to indicate the direction the sun was shining. The shadows varied for every single tree. But, in the other paintings there was hardly any shading on the leaves. Most of the leaves were completely dark or light.
In this painting, Durand showed a completely different perspective of trees. The painting depicts a scene where there is an abundance of trees which prevents the sunlight from shining on the forest path. On the other hand, the two other paintings, Nature Study: A Birch Tree and Black Birches, Catskill Mountains, had trees that were different from the trees in this painting. The two other paintings focused on the trunks of the trees and their bark. Especially, in the painting, Black Birches, Catskills Mountains, which cuts off most of the leaves from the trees at the top of the painting. In this painting, it focuses on the leaves because they are the only distinct parts of the paintings. However, the leaves of the trees are smaller compared to the leaves on the trees in the painting, Nature Study: A Birch Tree. These distinctions in the trees demonstrate the fact that landscapes are all unique. In this way, Durand was a revolutionary leader because he proved that the notions of nature for artists during that time was wrong. He painted many art pieces focusing on trees to show artists the variety in nature. Durand opened new doors in the art world because his landscape paintings were a model for other artists to paint landscapes. By proving the diversity found in nature, Durand inspired artists to portray their appreciation for nature through their art. These artists made art that made landscapes the subject of their paintings.
This painting is called Landscape Beyond the Tree. It was painted by Durand in 1859. Durand painted a straight tree in this painting. This tree has very little leaves compared to the lush trees in the background. In fact, the tree contrasts the rest of the landscape in the painting. Instead of thriving like the other trees, the tree in the center of the painting seems to be withering. The leaves on the lower branches have a dull green and yellow color to them compared to the vivid green leaves on the upper branches. Even the trunk of the tree implies that the tree may be withering away. The trunk has a dull brown and gray color. Even though the sun is shining straight on it, there are bits of gray among the yellow of the sunlight on the tree trunk. The sunlight highlights the dying tree’s colors. Furthermore, Durand paints the grass around the tree to imply it is dying. The grass has uneven coloring. There are patches of yellow, brown, green, and orange. The grass colors indicate that the season is autumn in the painting. Therefore, the tree is starting to shed its leaves.
The Landscape Beyond the Tree, contrasts Durand’s other paintings of trees. He painted trees that were thriving in his paintings of Nature Study: A Birch Tree, Black Birches, Catskill Mountains, and even Woodland Brook. However, in this painting Durand focused on a tree that was fading away. Durand portrayed a different season in this painting. He was able to show the contrast in the painting with the dying tree and the healthy, green trees in the background. The contrast shows viewers different perspectives of nature; autumn where plants are withering away and spring where trees and plants are blooming. In addition, Durand was able to portray that trees vary everywhere. He painted a tree with thick branches that only grew from one side. Although, in his other paintings the branches from the trees were slim and fragile. In other words, he was a defiant leader because although, many artists claimed trees were the same, Durand showed them otherwise. In his paintings, Durand portrayed all kinds of trees depending on the weather, time, and even type of tree. He brought the concept that nature is diverse to the art world. Durand was a revolutionary leader in this way.
The Landscape Beyond the Tree, contrasts Durand’s other paintings of trees. He painted trees that were thriving in his paintings of Nature Study: A Birch Tree, Black Birches, Catskill Mountains, and even Woodland Brook. However, in this painting Durand focused on a tree that was fading away. Durand portrayed a different season in this painting. He was able to show the contrast in the painting with the dying tree and the healthy, green trees in the background. The contrast shows viewers different perspectives of nature; autumn where plants are withering away and spring where trees and plants are blooming. In addition, Durand was able to portray that trees vary everywhere. He painted a tree with thick branches that only grew from one side. Although, in his other paintings the branches from the trees were slim and fragile. In other words, he was a defiant leader because although, many artists claimed trees were the same, Durand showed them otherwise. In his paintings, Durand portrayed all kinds of trees depending on the weather, time, and even type of tree. He brought the concept that nature is diverse to the art world. Durand was a revolutionary leader in this way.
The Catskills was painted in 1859 by Asher Durand. This painting shows trees beside a lake. Once again, Durand paints some white trees. Although, the differences in this painting and his other paintings of trees makes his paintings interesting and not repetitive. In this painting, Durand paints two trees leaning towards the lake. In contrast to the other paintings, the shape of the branches are different; they twist and turn in the air and are very short. The branches of the trees in this painting shows that these trees are more wild than the other trees that Durand painted. In the painting, Landscape Beyond the Tree, the branches are mostly straight; some parts of the branches bend a bit. However, the branches are not gnarled and tangled looking as the branches in this painting. The shape of the branches in this painting almost make the trees look sinister especially for the tree on the right. The tree’s branches are in the shadows and so they are darker than the rest of the painting. As a result, the tree looks mysterious since it is hard to see, which in turns makes it seem sinister. But, the sunlight throughout the whole painting prevents the mood of the painting from becoming sinister. The sky in the background of the painting is a bright blue and part of it is white which indicates that the sun is shining very brightly. In the painting, some of the sunlight is creeping into the area with the trees. One of the trees on the right is bathed with sunlight and the ground across from that tree is bright with sunlight. Everywhere else in the area is a little dark. But, the sunlight is bringing light which lightens the mood of the painting. Durand was able to paint trees in two different situations. The trees on the right of the painting portrays the different situations in nature. The white tree has the sun shining on it. The tree is a bright white and the patches on the moss are clearly defined. On the other hand, the tree next to it is, is dark. It has no sunlight illuminating it. Although, this tree is the same type of tree as the one in the sunlight, it is a dark gray. The patches of moss on its trunk look very dark and seem a little obscure. Here, Durand depicted how the time and lighting affects the way trees are perceived. In other words, Durand was an insurgent leader. He changed the perceptions of American artists with his notions that light and time affect the perception of the world. For this reason, nature is diverse. Through his paintings, Durand showed that trees could vary in appearance when it comes to the time of day.
The tree paintings above demonstrates Durand’s revolutionary leadership skills. He was able to transform the perceptions about nature in America. Before 1825 when Durand started painting landscape paintings, artists did not pay attention to nature. Their opinion of nature was that there was no variation. There were no unique aspects of nature. Therefore, they did not bother to paint nature or if they did include nature, it was very vague. However, Durand changed their opinions about nature. He painted the same subject, such as trees, to prove that nature was an inconstant force. The trees vary in appearance all over America and depending on the season or time of day the trees look different. He painted trees in the summer, fall, and spring to demonstrate the constantly changing force of nature. His detailed paintings allowed artists to notice that nature was extraordinary because nothing was the same in nature; no two trees look exactly alike. In the painting, Woodland Brook, Durand showed thriving trees that have grown so much that sunlight cannot even penetrate through their leaves since there are so many. On the other hand, the painting, Landscape Beyond the Tree, depicts a scene where the tree is barely surviving. The tree does not have many leaves on its branches and some of them are starting to shrivel up and die. Furthermore, The Catskills, shows two different trees in the same painting. One tree is bright with sunlight and gives off a cheerful mood. On the other hand, the tree on the right is cover with shadows. As a result, it has a sinister mood to it. This painting demonstrates how even light can affect the perspective of trees. The paintings Nature Study: A Birch Tree and Black Birches, Catskills Mountains show two different bark textures. The birch tree in a Nature Study: A Birch Tree, has a semi-smooth bark. The bark has some dark, rough patches. But, overall the bark is smooth. In contrast, the bark on the trees in the Black Birches, Catskills Mountains, are rough and coarse. Durand was a leader who set an example using his paintings. His paintings showed the diversity in nature. Thus, many artists joined the Hudson River School and became the second generation of artists, because they wanted to paint American landscapes. Durand motivated many artists to paint landscapes through his paintings. He open up new views of nature for painters. His artwork implied that nature was stunning since it has so much variety. This resulted in many artists making the landscape the focal point of their paintings because they realized that there was so much variety in the land. His artwork display his pride in American landscape. In his paintings, Durand portrayed American landscape as a constantly changing force, even the simplest aspects were diverse. He was able to paint nature and show off his awe for the exquisiteness of it. Thus, Durand made art that embodied American nationalism because his art was a portrayal of America's national pride. Durand demonstrated through his art that Americans should be proud of the diversity found in their country. There is no other country that is as diverse as America. This resulted in national pride in the land and the national identity. Americans now identified America through the land. America was a magnificent country because of its land. The creation of America's national identity was the result of Durand's paintings because his paintings were a source of pride in the country. The formation of the national identity gave America, a new nation during the 1800s, an identity. Before, there was no national identity ("Hudson River Painters" 5). However, now there was a national identity. Americans were very proud of their country because the national identity made them different from Great Britain. It made America an individual country which was important because America was a developing country who gained independence recently.
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