ASHER BROWN DURAND: “Kindred spirits”, 1849 - oil on canvas, 116.5- 91.4 cm. - private collection

Asher Brown Durand is one of the most important painters of the call School of the Hudson River. Although older than Cole, he introduces himself in the landscape after knowing the works of the previous master. More romantic and less faithful to the reality that Cole, their works are despite more beautiful and poetic, with clear influences of masters like 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. In first plane, a majestic tree embraces the scene, like giving shelter to both men who dominate the landscape. To the bottom, two clearly symbolic elements - the cascade and the eagle- emphasize an imaginary vertical that divides and organizes the composition. Everything is peacefully; everything is perfect within the grandiloquence of the Nature