Thomas Cole: Hudson River Painter/Poet on A Mission

Photo of Hudson River in Catskills NY

DISCOVERED THAT THOMAS COLE, “father” of the Hudson River School (visited his house/studio today) wanted to preserve the nature of the region through his work. He was also a very active proponent of keeping the real live Hudson River Valley as pristine as possible.

Active Participation
He did a great deal of writing to the powers that be, to try to head-off the rapid  industrialization of the valley and rampant clearing of lumber that if left unchecked would have impacted the wilderness. A contemporary colleague of mine who many of you may know, Linda Blondheim, is attempting to do the same thing in her State. Even after damage is done to a region, what artists contribute to preservation can still make a dramatic difference for generations to come.

I saw today, that although there has been development along the Hudson; for the most part, it is in the same condition as when Cole and other Hudson River School painters hiked these mountains and valley’s 150+ years ago. Few hotels, few large towns, few of everything that is associated with overdevelopment. There is so much here that has allowed contemporary Hudson artists to capture and thrive further extending the area’s visual heritage.

The Painter-Poet
Another little known fact: Cole was also a poet. I picked up a book of his poetry. Here is just one snippet of what he wrote…

Lines Written After a Walk on a Beautiful Morning in November
1833

Unhoped for joys are always welcomest,
And fountains in the desert doubly bless’d
So ‘mid the storms of the declining year
More beautiful the sunny hours appear
From darkling dreams of night I wake, and lo!
Through the unmeasured depths of heaven flow,
The unresounding tides of gold and azure
The earth with light is filled, my heart with pleasure…

I sometimes need to be reminded of the benefits of painting asisde from the desire to create. It is about painting in my time, projecting what I see, feel and wish to capture for those who come after me.

Whether an artist or collector, what kinds of things have you experienced or participated in to receive or offer the benefit of preservation?

Tags: art history, Catskill Mountains, Hudson River School, painter and poet, Thomas Cole