New American Painters

A fascinating biography of a revolutionary American artist ripe for rediscovery as a photographer and champion of other artists

In the vicinity of New York's Hudson River Valley, the Adirondack Mountains, Catskill Mountains, and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, a group of American painters led by British born artist Thomas Cole forged an artistic vision of the American wilderness. This was the first American school of landscape painting that emerged between 1825 and 1880. Men with the names of (Thomas) Cole, (Asher) Durand, (Jasper) Cropsey, (Albert) Bierstadt, and (Frederic) Church would impress the world with their creative brilliance and wondrous vision. On canvas they would bring to life 19th century America through imagination, interpretation, color and conviction, and they would craft an idealistic, identifiable narrative of an ever-changing nation. This template would soon attract fervid followers and avid admirers.

The rich, revealing, and thrilling story of five women whose lives and painting propelled a revolution in modern art, from the National Book Award finalist.