Henri Joseph Harpignies, "Les Lavueses," 19th century, oil on canvas. Courtesy of William and Elizabeth Koleszar.Works from the Hudson River School, selected from the Koleszar collection, are on exhibition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts through March 21.
“Focus” is a series of exhibitions curated and presented by UAB’s AEIVA that spotlights local and regional private art collections in the Southeastern United States. “Focus IV: Eclipse of the Hudson River School / Selections from the Koleszar Collection” highlights work from the Birmingham-based collection of Bill and Elizabeth Koleszar.
An opening reception for “Focus IV” will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, at UAB’s AEIVA, 1221 10th Ave. South. The reception and the exhibition are free and open to the public.
The Hudson River School, known as the first American artistic fraternity, began in the mid-19th century under artist Thomas Cole, a British immigrant who brought with him the emotive and imaginative European influence of Romanticism. After Cole’s death, the movement known as the Hudson River School rose to prominence highlighting the natural beauty of America. This artistic movement, focusing on sweeping landscapes, played a part in the westward expansion of America, propelled by the increasing popularity of Manifest Destiny. But in the mercurial landscape of a growing nation, the Hudson River School’s popularity fell as quickly as it rose. “Focus IV” explores the rise and fall, as well as the consequences, of this impactful, yet short-lived artistic movement.
Co-curator of the “Focus IV” exhibition Oakleigh Pinson, a former AEIVA intern and UAB student, says curating and viewing the exhibition has been exciting.
“I am very passionate about the art of this time, and I think it’s amazing that AEIVA shines light on local collectors to display their collections in a gallery setting,” Pinson said. “Since the Hudson River School was such a short-lived movement, I think it’s a great opportunity for people to learn about the movement and how it relates to the history of the United States. I think that art is so important for the enrichment of the community at large, and I am so thankful to get to work with AEIVA and the Koleszars to contribute to that enrichment.”
UAB’s AEIVA is open to the public from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 12-6 p.m. Saturday. It is closed Sundays and holidays.