Frederic Edwin Church
A Nationalist and Expansionist Artist
Biography and Artistic Contributions
Church made immense contributions to the art world. He was referred to as one of the best landscape artists of his time. He produced many masterpieces that are still praised today. He painted many large, ornate depictions of landscapes as influenced by the Hudson River School's theme of advancement and expansionism. He is now known as the best of the Hudson River artists. He executed sketches and drew many landscapes to appeal to the pro-expansion public of the United States. Today his pieces are widely known and recognized in some of the most prestigious museums in the world. Artists today still look at his large depictions of nature for inspiration and technique.
Nationalism: A Growing Feeling
Church's Artwork
Aurora Borealis
Niagara Falls, From the American Side
(1867) Church dramatically captures an American National landmark through this oil on canvas painting. It was based of an initial drawing of Church. This image of Niagara Falls portrays rushing waters flowing downhill from the top of a hill. There is white foam where the water is reaching the bottom of the fall. Water can shift into any shape possible and is constantly in motion. Water also represents a purity and renewal of life, a cleanse. Through this pouring water, which is an important national site, Church shows how America was shifting and adapting to new situations and ideas. Knowledge and advancement was pouring into the the western territories. The white color of the water represents the pure, new intentions that expansionists wanted people to believe in as well as the race of the people who were spreading these ideas. The greenery around the water can represent the land of the west, as the water pours through it creating its own passage. This shows how the "water" was making breakthroughs and going at a fast pace to spread the ideals of the nation to new areas.
Autumn in North America
Works Cited
"Art Renewal Center Museum™ Artist Information for Frederic Edwin Church." Art Renewal Center. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
"Frederic Edwin Church - The Complete Works." Frederic Edwin Church - The Complete Works. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
"Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History." Frederic Edwin Church (1826–1900). Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
"National Galleries of Scotland." Niagara Falls, from the American Side − Frederic Edwin Church − C − Artists A-Z − Online Collection − Collection −. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
"The Worlds of Frederic Edwin Church by William Gerdts from Antiques & Fine Art Magazine." The Worlds of Frederic Edwin Church by William Gerdts from Antiques & Fine Art Magazine. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.
"The Worlds of Frederic Edwin Church by William Gerdts from Antiques & Fine Art Magazine." The Worlds of Frederic Edwin Church by William Gerdts from Antiques & Fine Art Magazine. Web. 1 Dec. 2015.