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, which emerged between 1825-80. 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.

April 4th and 5th at 9 p.m. on PBS North

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