Afterglow: Frederic Church and The Landscape of Memory

Afterglow brings together Frederic Edwin Church's known memorial paintings, exploring how he used landscape to create solace in times of loss. It examines the memorial functions of landscape in nineteenth-century America and how Church embraced iconography and practices in his paintings and home, Olana, to give voice to loss.

Format: Hardback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 06 June 2024
Publisher: Hirmer Verlag

Afterglow: Unveiling the Memorial Paintings of Frederic Edwin Church

Frederic Edwin Church, a renowned landscape painter of the nineteenth century, left an indelible mark on the art world with his captivating memorial paintings. This remarkable collection, curated by Allegra K. Davis, brings together for the first time the known works of Church, shedding light on his profound journey back to the medium of landscape throughout his career. Church's memorial paintings serve as a testament to his ability to create solace in times of loss, offering a sanctuary for the grieving and a means to honor the departed.

In her insightful examination, Davis explores Church's memorial paintings as a cohesive group within the broader context of the material culture of mourning and sanctuary landscapes prevalent in nineteenth-century America. She delves into the iconography and practices that Church embraced, both in his paintings and in the creation of his beloved home, Olana. Through this lens, she illuminates the profound ways in which Church expressed his emotions and sought to give voice to loss.

An additional essay by Rebecca Bedell provides a valuable contextualization of the sentimental and therapeutic aspects of landscape painting and design in nineteenth-century American art. Bedell explores the ways in which landscape paintings were used to evoke emotions, provide comfort, and promote healing during a time of profound societal change and emotional turmoil. She sheds light on the cultural significance of landscape as a means of expressing and processing grief, and how it played a role in shaping the artistic landscape of the nineteenth century.

Through the combined efforts of Davis and Bedell, Afterglow offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the memorial paintings of Frederic Edwin Church. It provides a deeper understanding of his artistic journey, the cultural significance of landscape in nineteenth-century America, and the therapeutic power of art in times of loss. This captivating book is a must-read for art enthusiasts, historians, and anyone seeking to explore the profound emotional and artistic expressions of the nineteenth century.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 254 x 203 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783777443584