About this item
At the height of his career as the leader of the Hudson River School of American landscape painting, Thomas Cole listed himself in the New York City Directory as an architect. Why would this renowned painter, who had never before designed a building, advertise himself as such? The importance of Cole's paintings and the significance of his essays, poems, and philosophy are well established, yet an analysis of his architectural endeavors and their impact on his painting has not been undertaken - until now. In celebration of the recreation of the artist's self-designed Italianate studio at Cedar Grove in Catskill, New York, now the Thomas Cole National Historic Site, this book focuses on Cole's architectural interests through architectural elements found in his paintings and drawings as well as in his realized and visionary projects, expanding our understanding of the breadth of his talents and interests.
About the Author
Annette Blaugrund, an art historian, former curator and museum director, has written six books and contributed seven chapters to other books about American art and artists, in addition to writing 29 aticles. The National Academy Museum where she worked as director for eleven years (1997-2007) honored her with a Lifetime Achievement Award (2008). She was designated a Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 1992, among other honors. Currently, she sits on several philanthropic boards, juries art competitions, and writes essays for magazines and catalogues. She holds a Ph.D. in art history from Columbia University (1987) where for six years she taught American art and culture (1996-2001), sits on the Advisory Council of the Department of Art and Archeology, and teaches a mentoring class. Currently she gives lectures across the US about her latest book, Dispensing Beauty in NY and Beyond: The Triumphs and Tragedies of Harriet Hubbard Ayer.
