Batona Trail in Late Summer by Richard Lewis 2013
Wood Scene by Asher Durand 1854
Recently I saw this painting (Right) by Asher Durand, a 19th century landscape painter. It was part of a series of he created called “Sketch In The Woods.” This painting shows a quiet forest scene. There are no grand mountains or roaring rivers, only trees portrayed naturally. I couldn’t take my eyes off it.
This painting inspired the photograph above that I made on the Batona Trail in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. If it wasn’t for that painting I may have walked right by this place. Instead, I stopped to admire and photograph the play of light and color of a late summer morning as it filtered through the random pattern of trees and tall foliage.
Art often reaches across time and space. In this case, an artist found the simple beauty of a New York forest 159 years ago. That painting inspired the creation of a photograph made in 2013 along a sandy trail in the New Jersey Pinelands. Enjoy.
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Your photo is really lovely.
I think some of the simplest subjects or scenes make the most beautiful photos, especially when they draw the eye into the scene and make you feel as though you (the viewer) are right there, in that moment, with the photographer.
Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by my blog.
The photograph alone is beautiful but the larger story and connection through time is quite inspiring. 😉
Thank you for your comment Cynthia.
Asher Durand is a member of the Hudson River School of painters. (Thought that looked like my familiar Catskills!) I think studying all kinds of art is valuable for photographers … especially those photographers who also consider themselves ‘artists’. It’s great that you have been inspired by Durand and now your photograph can inspire others.
Thanks Denise. I, like probably hundreds of other artists, am highly influenced by the great artists of the Hudson River School. All of us should hope that part of our legacy is that our work inspires others.
My inspirations also come the viewing and being exposed to other artists. I believe its how we grow and can become more creative… thanks for being one of those artists!!!!