“Kindred spirits”

ASHER BROWN DURAND

1849
oil on canvas, 116.5- 91.4 cm. - private collection

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Asher Brown Durand is one of the most important painters of the Hudson River School. He was a pupil of Thomas Cole, despite being older than him. More romantic and less faithful to reality than Cole, his works are, however, more beautiful and poetic, with clear influences of masters such as Meindert Hobbema or Claude Lorrain. He is the author of works as “Kindred Spirits” or “The beeches”.

The scene, while apparently simple, possesses numerous allegorical elements filled with symbolism: there are two men at the top of the rocks, contemplating a fantastic fluvial valley, studded with rocks, shrubs and water jumps. A majestic tree embraces the scene, like giving shelter to both men who are contemplating the marvelous landscape. Two clearly symbolic elements - the waterfall and the eagle- emphasize an imaginary vertical line, dividing and organizing the composition. Everything is peaceful; everything is perfect within the grandiloquence of the Nature

Text by G. Fernández, www.theartwolf.com

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