2-729-175 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Forest Stream with Vista, 1872. Durand began his career as a bank-note engraver, but was inspired by the example of Thomas Cole to turn to landscape painting. Along with Cole he is considered the most important master of the "first generation" of Hudson River School painters. From his experience as an engraver, Durand was accustomed to close, detailed work. The most notable feature of his style was his ability to capture the varied textures of stone, moss, tree trunks, water, and other natural forms. Many of his paintings, such as this one, resemble bank notes in their composition, and contain a central oval scene that is surrounded on all sides by varied tonalities of green.