Viewing The American Landscape: From Frederic Church to Maya Lin with Lewis Shepard
Five Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon on April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16 on Zoom.
From the 1850s to 2020 American artists, using a variety of styles, sizes and materials, responded to the Landscape as theme and inspiration. Sometimes their views were descriptive, conforming to historic precedents, and at other moments their works were inspired by contemporary events or personal emotions. They expanded on traditions and styles from Europe, Asia and most recently, astronomical explorations.
Frederic Church painted in oils on canvas. Maya Lin used glass beads on a museum wall. Underwood & Underwood made stereo views to be enjoyed at home. Michael Mazur painted and printed New England views using a variety of techniques. NASA has given us overviews of our own planet and beyond our solar system!
In each of the five 2-hour classes, we will see and discuss these varied works. As often as possible, we will focus on examples found in New England museums to encourage your travel beyond the classes.
I will provide images with title and location in advance of each class to encourage group discussion, asking members to select a work and present their own observations.
There is an exhibit now that you might wish to visit at The New Bedford Whaling Museum that is on view until May 14:
Reframing The View: 19th Century American Landscapes; It is drawn from six regional private collections, the New Bedford Whaling Museum collection, and six strategic institutional loans. This is not mandatory but it might spark your interest.
Photo Credits:
Frederic Church The Aurora Borealis 1865
Maya Lin Folding the Mississippi, 2019
Ursula von Rydingsvard. Heart in Hand, 2014, bronze
Michael Mazur Island in a Storm, Mashpee 1985, screenprint