Monday Morning Museum: The Hudson River School

The Hudson River School – America from 1835 to 1870

The Hudson River School was a mid-19th century American art movement embodied by a group of landscape painters whose aesthetic vision was influenced by romanticism. The paintings for which the movement is named depict the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding area, including the Catskill, Adirondack, and the White Mountains; eventually works by the second generation of artists associated with the school expanded to include other locales. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Alfred Bierstadt (see art example below), others in the Hudson River School include Thomas Cole and Frederic Edwin Church.

Mountain Out of the Mist by Alfred Bierstadt (1830-1902)

Last Monday’s Art – The Harlem Renaissance
Next Monday’s Art – Impressionism

Top of post: “The Hudson River School” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
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Summer Solstice 2013 Arrives!

Have a fun, sun-filled first day of Summer everyone! In keeping with accurate and full disclosure, here’s the celestial explanation for the occurrence of the Summer (June) Solstice. Happy Summer!

The June solstice occurs when the sun is at its furthest point from the equator – it reaches its northernmost point and the Earth’s North Pole tilts directly towards the sun, at about 23.5 degrees. It is also known as the northern solstice because it occurs when the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere. If the Earth's rotation was at right angles to the plane of its orbit around the sun, there would be no solstice days and no seasons.

The June solstice day has the longest hours of daylight for those living north of the equator. Those living or travelling to the north of the Arctic Circle are able to see the “midnight sun”, where the sun remains visible throughout the night, while those living or travelling south of the Antarctic Circle will not see sun during this time of the year. For those living near the equator, the sun does not shift up and down in the sky as much compared with other geographical locations away from the equator during this time of the year. This means that the length of day temperature does not vary as much.

The June solstice marks the first day of the summer season in the northern hemisphere. The word solstice is from the Latin word “solstitium”, meaning “sun-stopping”, because the point at which the sun appears to rise and set stops and reverses direction after this day. On this day, the sun does not rise precisely in the east, but rises to the north of east and sets to the north of west allowing it to be in the sky for a longer period of time. In the southern hemisphere, the June solstice is known as the shortest day of the year. It is when the sun has reached its furthest point from the equator and marks the first day of winter. – TimeAndDate.com

“Summer Solstice 2013” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: The Harlem Renaissance

The Harlem Renaissance – Early 1920s to 1930s

The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s. At the time, it was known as the "New Negro Movement", named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke. Though it was centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, many French-speaking black writers from African and Caribbean colonies who lived in Paris were also influenced by the Harlem Renaissance. - Wikipedia.org

In addition to William Henry Johnson (see art example below), other artists of the Harlem Renaissance are Lois Mailou Jones, Sargent Claude Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, Archibald Motley and Romare Bearden.

Café, circa 1938-1940 by William Henry Johnson (1901-1970)

The strong colors and silhouettes in this painting evoke the African art that black artists and writers had embraced during the Harlem Renaissance. But this affectionate couple also has the fashionable flash of zoot-suiters in the big band era. Above the table, the two figures coolly take in the café scene; below, a tangle of legs and limbs hints at the erotic energy of a night on the town. – Smithsonian American Art Museum

Last Monday’s Art – The Group of Seven
Next Monday’s Art – The Hudson River School

Top of post: “The Harlem Renaissance” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
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Monday Morning Museum: The Group of Seven

The Group of Seven – Canada from 1920 to the 1960s

The Group of Seven — sometimes known as the Algonquin school — was a group of Canadian landscape painters from 1920 to 1933… Believing that a distinct Canadian art could be developed through direct contact with nature,[2] The Group of Seven is most famous for its paintings inspired by the Canadian landscape, and initiated the first major Canadian national art movement. – Wikipedia.org

In addition to Franklin Carmichael (see art example below), other members of the Group of Seven are Lawren Harris, Alexander Young Jackson, Frank Johnston, Arthur Lismer, James Edward Hervey MacDonald and Frederick Varley.

Lake Wabagishik by Franklin Carmichael (1890-1945)

Last Monday’s Art – Gothic Art
Next Monday’s Art – The Harlem Renaissance

Top of post: “The Group of Seven” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
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Monday Morning Museum: Gothic Art

Gothic Art – Fifth Century to the Sixteenth Century

Gothic art was a style of Medieval art that developed in France out of Romanesque art in the mid-12th century, led by the concurrent development of Gothic architecture. It spread to all of Western Europe, but took over art more completely north of the Alps, never quite effacing more classical styles in Italy. In the late 14th century, the sophisticated court style of International Gothic developed, which continued to evolve until the late 15th century. In many areas, especially Germany, Late Gothic art continued well into the 16th century… - Wikipedia.org

In addition to Arnolfo di Cambio (see art example below), other Gothic Art artists are Simone Martini and Andrea Pisano.

Interior View of the Church by Arnolfo di Cambio (1355-1443)

Last Monday’s Art – The Golden Age of Illustration
Next Monday’s Art – The Group of Seven

Top of post: “Gothic Art” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent