[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 182 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2136-E2137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING ASHER B. DURAND, GEORGE INNESS, AND THE HUDSON RIVER SCHOOL OF 
                                PAINTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2011

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the decision by the 
Architect of the Capitol to publicly display two important paintings in 
the Capitol Visitors Center. ``The Discovery of the Hudson River'' and 
``Entrance into Monterey,'' both by Albert Bierstadt, will welcome so 
many to the Capitol complex as they learn about the history and 
processes of our country. These works are part of the Hudson River 
School of Painters, and celebrate the beauty and diversity of the 
United States.
  Coincidentally, two painters in the School have ties to my district 
in New Jersey. Asher Brown Durand was born, and later died, on a farm 
in my district. Although he began his career in engraving, Durand's 
legacy is in landscape painting, as one of the first artists of the 
Hudson River School of Painters. Durand's influence can be seen in 
another painter in the School, George Inness. Inness lived in Newark, a 
town I call home. Inness' distinct style combines the Hudson River 
School traditions with techniques he learned during travels in Western 
Europe.
  Inness and Durand, like many of their fellow painters, traveled 
extensively abroad. Upon Durand's return to the United States, he took 
regular trips to paint the scenery of the Hudson River, the 
Adirondacks, and the White Mountains.
  Durand's style was highly detailed, a hallmark of the School. One of 
Durand's most famous pieces, ``Kindred Spirits,'' is often cited as one 
of the epitome of the School's values. This work cemented Durand's 
place at the forefront of the movement caused by the School.
  Durand, as part of the first generation in the Hudson River School, 
is important because of his influence on later painters in the school, 
and on art in general. Durand helped form what is today known as the 
National Academy Museum and School, and served as president of the 
Academy for several years.
  As the School's reputation increased, many of the School's painters 
traveled extensively to study, thus introducing these men to the 
culture of the grand capitals of Europe. This motivated many of the 
artists and other business leaders to found the Metropolitan Museum of

[[Page E2137]]

Art in New York City in 1870. Some of these Hudson River School 
painters later served as trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and 
were members of the executive committee.
  On this very floor many years ago, Congress was moved to create 
several national parks, like Yellowstone and Yosemite, after viewing 
the School's magnificent landscape paintings. Eventually, these same 
paintings were used to encourage Congress to form the National Park 
Service in 1916.
  Mr. Speaker, I am sure my colleagues, and the American people, can 
agree with me when I acknowledge and appreciate the achievements of 
Asher Durand, George Inness, and the Hudson River School of Painters.

                          ____________________