Maine Sublime: Frederic Edwin Church's Landscapes of Mount Desert and Mount Katahdin

Frederic Church, a Hudson River School artist, traveled to Maine in 1850 and created artwork inspired by the stunning sunsets, rugged waves, and wilderness of the region. Maine Sublime, a collection of his artwork, will be displayed at the Portland Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the Evelyn and Maurice Sharp Gallery at Olana in 2012-2013.

Format: Hardback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2019
Publisher: Cornell University Press

Frederic Church, the renowned Hudson River School artist, embarked on his first journey to Maine in 1850. Over the ensuing decades, Church ventured repeatedly from his New York State home, Olana, to explore the rugged coastline and picturesque islands of Maine. He also frequently trekked inland to visit the majestic Mount Katahdin. Maine offered breathtaking sunsets, powerful waves crashing against rocky shores, and an abundance of untamed wilderness, perfectly aligning with Church's artistic vision.

Maine Sublime presents a comprehensive collection of artwork from the Olana collection, encompassing all pieces created during and inspired by Church's travels to Maine. This includes finished oil sketches that Church carefully selected to mount, frame, and display at his home, as well as pencil sketches and cartoons that he stored in portfolios. The subjects depicted in these artworks range from specific locations such as Sunset Bar Harbor (1854) to awe-inspiring works like Sunset (ca. 1852–65) and Twilight a Sketch (1858), which were inspired by the dramatic Maine skies and capture the essence of the entire region.

Throughout his life, Church maintained a deep connection with Maine, frequently visiting the state to engage in sketching, fishing, and hiking. In 1878, he purchased land on Lake Millinocket, boasting a stunning view of Mount Katahdin. He then constructed a modest cabin on this land, where he would spend his time in tranquility and artistic inspiration. After his marriage to Isabel in 1860, Church's wife often joined him on his excursions to Maine, sharing in his admiration for the picturesque scenery.

Maine Sublime serves as a companion to an upcoming exhibit of Church's Maine artwork, scheduled to be displayed at prestigious institutions such as the Portland Museum of Art (Portland, Maine) from June to September, 2012; the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Houston, Texas) from February to May 2013; and the Evelyn and Maurice Sharp Gallery at Olana (Hudson, New York) from July to October, 2013. This exhibit will provide a remarkable opportunity for art enthusiasts to immerse themselves in the breathtaking landscapes and artistic brilliance of Frederic Church's Maine masterpieces.

Weight: 666g
Dimension: 250 x 248 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780801451034