Painting the Inhabited Landscape: Fitz H. Lane and the Global Reach of Antebellum America

In nineteenth-century American painting and culture, nature was seen as a wilderness, but Fitz H. Lane's work showed nature as productive and allied with humans to create a sustainable, balanced political economy. This study highlights the unexplored dimensions of nineteenth-century painting and its commentary on American culture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

In the vibrant tapestry of nineteenth-century American art and culture, a profound impulse emerged to portray nature as an untamed wilderness, an untamed canvas upon which the young nation could freely inscribe its destiny. The United States, seen as a pristine virgin land, untouched by human hands, unfenced, and unpainted, held immense allure as a place of endless possibilities. While other artists sought to trace the remnants of a geologic or cosmic past, Fitz H. Lane embarked on a distinct path. His artwork showcased a more modestly scaled, intricately inhabited landscapes, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of human presence.

In her groundbreaking study, Margaretta Markle Lovell delves into the lesser-known realms of Fitz H. Lane, focusing on the landscapes he created and the patrons who championed his artistic journey. Through meticulous research, Lovell unravels the intricate tapestry of New Englanders' thoughts about their land, economy, history, and interconnectedness with diverse global communities. What emerges is a profound revelation—a depiction of nature not as a pristine wilderness but as a land deeply resonant with its past uses. Lane's paintings depict a harmonious partnership between humans and nature, fostering a sustainable and balanced political economy.

This close examination of Fitz H. Lane's New England reveals a human history that embraces and includes Native Americans as key players in shaping the land and actively participating in its unfolding narrative. Painting the Inhabited Landscape emerges as a significant intervention in the scholarship on nineteenth-century American art, offering a fresh perspective that challenges prevailing narratives and expands our understanding of canon formation. It invites us to reimagine the landscape as a living testament to the intricate interplay between humans and their environment, shedding light on the complex and multifaceted tapestry of American art and culture.

Weight: 2064g
Dimension: 279 x 229 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271092782