American Renaissance Art
American Renaissance happened in the mid-19th century when most American masterpieces were made and produced. Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, Melville’s Moby-Dick and Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter are some examples of the American Renaissance Art.
American Renaissance Art is more eclectic and unique compared to the old Hudson River School Arts. Arts during those times were expressed in various styles and subjects due to the restlessness and uncertainty during those periods. When Cosmopolitanism took over the American cultural view, global artistic achievement became a concern which displaced the spirit of nationalism. American artists divert their art academics to the universities of Munich and Paris to learn about the latest styles and techniques. Eventually, America’s art expanded and increased vigor due to new and broader knowledge gained by American artists.
In Paris, Exposition Universelle of 1867 served as the venue for the expansion of American Renaissance Art. Works of notable painters such as Frederick Edwin Church, John Kensett and Albert Bierstadt quite impressed the people who attended the said exposition. Moreover, the Centennial Exposition of 1876 in Philadelphia also provided an equally important crossroads for the American art. The art display included thousands paintings and sculptures making it the biggest single exhibition in America. This became a great opportunity for Americans to be more aware of the significant role of art in the development of their culture. Concurrently, Americans realized that their native American art lacked variety which made them decide to continuously train in Europe for further improvement of their art and culture. Consequently, Americans learned the informal and intimate view of nature improved by subtle and evocative light effects as well as soft and muted tones.