Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Asher Brown Durand died in 1886; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1956.
In context
Kindred Spirits — Asher Brown Durand
The original measures 117 × 92 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 90 at death.
Painted when the artist was 53. The artist lived to 90. 79 of the 182 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Asher Brown Durand (1796–1886) ▲ this work, 1849 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1840 Main working years: 1840–1856 Late works: from 1856
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/asher-brown-durand-kindred-spirits-8Y37YP-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Celadon #95a8bf
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 37.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 285 works by this artist, of which 98 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 16 of them, with 1.4% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Maplewood, United States of America
Asher Brown Durand, born August 21, 1796, in Maplewood, New Jersey, wasn’t initially destined for a life steeped in paint and canvas. His early years were shaped by the practical world of his father, a watchmaker and silversmith, instilling in him a meticulous attention to detail that would later profoundly influence his artistic approach. This foundation in craftsmanship led to an apprenticeship with engraver Peter Maverick in 1812, a path that initially seemed to define his career. Durand quickly proved himself exceptionally skilled, becoming a partner in the firm and establishing its New York City branch. His reputation as an engraver soared after completing the intricate reproduction of John Trumbull’s The Declaration of Independence in 1823 – a feat that cemented his standing within the artistic community. However, beneath the precision of engraving lay a burgeoning passion for capturing the raw beauty of the natural world, a calling that would ultimately lead him to become a pivotal figure in American art.
The transition from meticulous engraver to celebrated landscape painter wasn't immediate. Durand continued his engraving work while simultaneously exploring painting, initially focusing on portraiture and genre scenes. A crucial turning point arrived with the patronage of Luman Reed in the 1830s, who encouraged him to fully embrace his artistic inclinations. Reed’s support allowed Durand to dedicate himself more completely to painting, a pursuit further ignited by a transformative sketching expedition with his close friend, Thomas Cole, in the Adirondacks in 1837. This journey into the untamed wilderness proved pivotal; it was here that Durand truly discovered his calling – to capture the sublime grandeur of the American landscape. He began to spend summers immersed in nature, meticulously documenting the Catskills, Adirondacks, and White Mountains through countless drawings and oil sketches. These studies weren’t merely preparatory exercises but became integral to his artistic process, informing the compositions and details of his finished paintings.
Durand's dedication to landscape painting aligned him with a growing circle of artists who shared a similar vision – a group that would become known as the Hudson River School. He was among its founding members, alongside Cole, and played a vital role in establishing the school’s distinctive aesthetic. The Hudson River School wasn’t simply about depicting scenery; it was about imbuing landscapes with emotional resonance and spiritual significance. Durand's work embodies this philosophy, characterized by a meticulous realism combined with a romantic sensibility. He believed in observing nature with unwavering accuracy but also recognized its power to evoke feelings of awe, reverence, and the sublime. His paintings weren’t just representations of places; they were expressions of his deep connection to the American wilderness and a celebration of God's creation.
Durand’s influence extended beyond his own artistic output. He served as president of the National Academy of Design from 1845 to 1861, using his position to champion American art and nurture emerging talent. He also penned insightful “Letters on Landscape Painting” published in The Crayon – a significant art periodical – articulating his artistic principles and advocating for direct observation from nature. His commitment to realism and detailed representation set a high standard for subsequent generations of landscape painters. Works like *Kindred Spirits*, painted in 1849 as a tribute to Thomas Cole, became iconic representations of the Hudson River School aesthetic and continue to resonate with viewers today. The painting’s depiction of Cole and poet William Cullen Bryant amidst a serene woodland scene encapsulates the school's reverence for nature and its belief in the power of art to connect humanity with the divine. Durand’s paintings offer more than just picturesque views; they provide a window into 19th-century America, reflecting its evolving relationship with the natural world and its burgeoning sense of national identity. His legacy endures not only through his captivating canvases but also through his enduring influence on American landscape painting and his unwavering commitment to capturing the beauty and spiritual significance of the land.
topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/asher-brown-durand-kindred-spirits-8Y37YP-en/
Look closely
Kindred Spirits — Asher Brown Durand
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
A preview of "Kindred Spirits" by Asher Brown Durand is available on the artwork's Preview page.
To get a digital file of "Kindred Spirits" by Asher Brown Durand, order a high-resolution digital image download on its Digital Image page.
"Kindred Spirits" is available as a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper. Orders are placed on its Fine Art Print page, in the size of your choice.