Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900),
View of the Hudson River Valley from Olana, 1867, oil on canvas, 12 1/4 x 20 3/8inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, 1962.
This majestic sweeping view of New York's Hudson River Valley seems like a glimpse of paradise. In his extensive travels, American artist Frederic Church sought awe-inspiring vistas to paint. He concluded that America, the 'New World' had the most beautiful views he had seen. Here the sunset's brilliant colors appear to depict a primeval nature, untouched by human hands. Church found this idyllic scene in the view from Olana, his uniquely beautiful, castle-like home overlooking the Hudson River, which was in a very real way his personal Garden of Eden. This month we celebrate Church’s birthday! Church’s idea of paradise is a quiet mountain vista, what does yours look like?