V5302

Hudson River School

Summer Afternoon by Asher B. Durand

Collins Cover Announcement

Hudson River School

 Asher Brown Durand

One of the fundamental decision a cachetmaker faces is how to present the stamp subject matter on the cover. In this case, since the images on the stamps are landscapes, I knew that I wanted to put a portrait of each artist in the cachet. It was also evident to me that since this new school of painting was so expressive and of such sweeping beauty that I equally wanted to represent the landscape majesty as well. Accordingly, each cover will show the artist with an example of his painting style behind him.

Asher B. Durand was born and died in Maplewood, New Jersey. In 1812 he became an apprentice to an engraver and five years later became a partner in the firm. He engraved "Declaration of Independence" for John Trumbull in 1823 ---- -which established his reputâtion as one ofTheTmest e-ngravef§-m the countiy.

Around 1830 his interest suddenly shifted from engraving to oil painting. In 1837 he joined his friend Thomas Cole on a sketching expedition to Schroon Lake in the Adirondack Mountains after which he began to concentrate on landscapes. He spent many summers in the mountains of New York and New Hampshire doing sketches and drawings that would later be incorporated into marvelous oils that would help define the Hudson River School.

Durand is especially remembered for his finely detailed portrayals of trees, rocks, and foliage. It is my opinion that this is the result of his early years as a master engraver. He advocated painting directly from nature with as much realism as possible. My individually hand painted cachet shows Asher at his easel with brushes and palette in hand. The style of his work includes rocks and multiple trees as well as a few domestic cows that represent the link of man to nature. I greatly admire this man and his work and hope this cover is a fitting tribute.

In 1849 a year after the death of his friend Thomas Cole, Asher painted his "Kindred Spirits." It shows Cole and poet William Cullen Bryant in a Catskill Mountain landscape. The painting, a tribute to his fellow Hudson River School artist, was given by Durand to Thomas's daughter Julia. In 2005 it was acquired at auction for a purported $35 million which was a record price for an American painting.

Asher Brown Durand is now available — Collins #V5302 — $15.00.