Albany Institute Museum

   

Professor Michael  Musial

Kindred Spirits 

 Today, before going to the Albany Institute museum, Professor Michael Musial gave us a brief presentation of Thomas Cole, Frederic Edwin and other artists. He also explained to us the different layers that a painting can have as well as the different techniques that artists use in order to make the painting attractive to the viewers. For instance, paintings have usually three or four layers which give them a realistic overview. Artists use different colors in order to emphasize sunlight or to convey a particular emotion or event. For example, this painting called Kindred Spirits by Asher B. Durand has three layers. The first layer is at the very front, where the sunlight does not reach. Within the first layer, there is also many broken trees. The second layer is where the two men, who are Thomas Cole and other colleague, are standing. Finally the third layer is where the mountains are in the background.

         Of the artists that Mr. Musial talked to us about, I like Thomas Cole the most.

Thomas Cole

Lake Winnipesaukee

The Garden of the Van Rensselaer

Lake Winnipesaukee in the Albany institute

Thomas Cole was the founder of the Hudson River Art School. He also made study on nature and every morning he went outside the Catskill Mountains and sketched. 

The Garden of the Van Rensselaer at the Albany Institute

Lake Winnipesaukee and the Garden of the Van Rensselaer are two of the most famous paintings of his. However, Lake Winnipesaukee was the one that gave him fame. In the Albany Institute museum, this painting is bordered by a gorgeous golden frame.

Lake Winnipesaukee (magnified)

As I had the painting in front of my eyes, I could see details that I was not able to see in the picture of the painting. For instance, I was able to see the men at the first layer. As the picture above shows, one of the men is sitting on a rock and the other one is going away in a horse. One of my interpretation of this is that the man sitting on the rock is contemplating the view that he sees from his location while the man in the horse is in his way to explore around. They both might be making study on nature. My other interpretation of this is that the man in the horse just dropped off the man who sitting on the rock. That might be why the man is returning back with the horse and the other one is resting in order to keep going with his journal.

A View of The Catskill Mountain House

In the Albany institute Museum, I also saw one of the painting of Thomas Cole’s sister, Sara Cole. Her painting is called a view of The Catskill Mountain House. This painting is a copy of a painting by her brother. Sara and Thomas knew very well the Catskill Mountains since they constantly ventured into the mountains. In his journal, Thomas reported that they both along with others “went hiking in the Catskills and camped on the summit of high Peak.” It was very interesting seeing how Thomas Cole played a role model to his sister.

Leaving the Museum

I do not paint or sketch. However, I am constantly exposed to different types of paintings because many of my friends paint.  In addition, as I started my college career I am often exposed to different types of arts such as paintings, poems, sculpture and others. Due to these reasons, I have become more related to art. I am completely sure that by the end of the discovery program at the Hudson River, I will be able even more related to art and will be able to recognize very famous artists.