Page 35 - Antiques and Collectibles September 2019 Historic Hudson Valley
P. 35
Bronxville Life was tough in Cragsmoor, as the name indicates, and getting to the area
An idyll located nearer required a sturdy resolve. As more came to join the art colony, culture and
society soon followed, but the harsh winters resulted in limited growth. Even
to Manhattan than today there are only about 500 people in the village, and the two rural roads
Hudson, Bronxville was coming into Cragsmoor do not lead back out.
the setting for some of
the area’s earliest known Byrdcliffe
artists to the region
beginning in the 1830s. 1903 marks the establishment of the Byrdcliffe artists’ colony—a utopian
According to the settlement of sorts—that continues to inspire to this day. Husband and wife
Bronxville Historical Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead and Jane Byrd McCall built their dream “village”
Conservancy, artist Francis that consisted of an art school, 30-odd arts and crafts buildings, a library, and
William Edmonds was a barn, with cottages for staff and an inn for visitors. Byrdcliffe invited entire
“drawn by the bucolic families to take in the surroundings while adhering to their belief in the
setting and opportunity “gospel of the outdoors” and maintaining a self-sufficient community through
for country living” and Bronxville, 1912, oil on canvas by George Henry Smillis the production of furniture and cabinets.
many of his fellow
Hudson River School artists came to create alongside him, including Asher B.
Durand, John Casilear, and Edward Nelson.
The ongoing influx of artists to the area eventually gave birth to the
Lawrence Park community of artists. According to the Conservancy, “The
golden age of art in Bronxville is attributed largely to William Van Duzer
Lawrence, whose vision of a planned community of talented individuals,
especially artists, was the creative impulse in the establishment of Lawrence
Park in the 1890s.” The colony continued to thrive into the 20th century.
Cragsmoor
The Shawangunk Ridge, part of the Shawangunks of southeastern New
York, is known for its view of the Hudson River and all its rugged terrain on
full display. While today the area features a thriving hiking trail system and
heavy study of its shifting ecology, in the 1870s artists were drawn to its
undisturbed landscape standing within an ever-changing atmosphere where
light, weather, and seasonal foliage all drew the eye with a beautiful display.
Early photo of a crafts exhibition at the Byrdcliffe Studio by Alfred Cohn
Over the years Byrdcliffe has experienced its share of economic difficulties,
and maintaining self-sufficiency has become a thing of the past. Currently, the
renamed Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild offers artist residencies, hosts educational
programs, and presents exhibitions on its grounds, and continues to draw
artists and creatives from across the country.
The artists’ colony of Cragsmoor was home to those who Title image: The Byrdcliffe Art Colony circa 1905
were inspired by the luscious landscape of the region, Panoramic courtesy of the Woodstock-Byrdcliffe Guild
including Charles C. Curran, A Breezy Day, 1887
bridge named after the 1819 short story written by stopping along the way we
took time to read about the Spotting Olana
Washington Irving. The Rip van Winkle bridge was built The view at Thomas Cole's home
from 1933-35 and here we were getting what would have bridge’s history, what points when heading back
been a bird’s eye view of this expanse of beauty that was there of interest we were viewing,
when the first American painting style was born. and the story of the region
Looking down as we walked, we saw the shifting islands at the “balconies” built into
and sand bars in the river with remnants of docks from the Skywalk. Once we hit the
boats and ferries used early on when Church, Cole, and so half-way mark, Olana stood
many others traveled back and forth. out in front of us – on its
The wind off the river is persistent, to say the least, and hilltop like a beacon telling
binoculars are a must-have item. Once we reached the West us there is so much more to
side, there was a park setting to take a break, use the witness. As we walked
restrooms, and prepare for the walk back. There was a pres- toward Church’s home,
entation taking another moment to
The view of the bridge being observe our surroundings, I
looking East held for easily saw why he picked The writer with Thomas Cole
a scholarly group on birds that spot for his incredible retreat.
of prey in the region. An It is no wonder this region inspired such
added bonus to the trip. masterful works of art – both fine art and the
Heading back across expanded arts of music, literature, and craft.
from Cole’s view, we did This is a place that stirs creativity within me.
not see the same views but Now, to apply that to the canvas …
another perspective of the For more information on the Hudson River
river and gentle hills Skywalk, visit hudsonriverskywalk.org
across the Hudson. When
September 2019 33
An idyll located nearer required a sturdy resolve. As more came to join the art colony, culture and
society soon followed, but the harsh winters resulted in limited growth. Even
to Manhattan than today there are only about 500 people in the village, and the two rural roads
Hudson, Bronxville was coming into Cragsmoor do not lead back out.
the setting for some of
the area’s earliest known Byrdcliffe
artists to the region
beginning in the 1830s. 1903 marks the establishment of the Byrdcliffe artists’ colony—a utopian
According to the settlement of sorts—that continues to inspire to this day. Husband and wife
Bronxville Historical Ralph Radcliffe Whitehead and Jane Byrd McCall built their dream “village”
Conservancy, artist Francis that consisted of an art school, 30-odd arts and crafts buildings, a library, and
William Edmonds was a barn, with cottages for staff and an inn for visitors. Byrdcliffe invited entire
“drawn by the bucolic families to take in the surroundings while adhering to their belief in the
setting and opportunity “gospel of the outdoors” and maintaining a self-sufficient community through
for country living” and Bronxville, 1912, oil on canvas by George Henry Smillis the production of furniture and cabinets.
many of his fellow
Hudson River School artists came to create alongside him, including Asher B.
Durand, John Casilear, and Edward Nelson.
The ongoing influx of artists to the area eventually gave birth to the
Lawrence Park community of artists. According to the Conservancy, “The
golden age of art in Bronxville is attributed largely to William Van Duzer
Lawrence, whose vision of a planned community of talented individuals,
especially artists, was the creative impulse in the establishment of Lawrence
Park in the 1890s.” The colony continued to thrive into the 20th century.
Cragsmoor
The Shawangunk Ridge, part of the Shawangunks of southeastern New
York, is known for its view of the Hudson River and all its rugged terrain on
full display. While today the area features a thriving hiking trail system and
heavy study of its shifting ecology, in the 1870s artists were drawn to its
undisturbed landscape standing within an ever-changing atmosphere where
light, weather, and seasonal foliage all drew the eye with a beautiful display.
Early photo of a crafts exhibition at the Byrdcliffe Studio by Alfred Cohn
Over the years Byrdcliffe has experienced its share of economic difficulties,
and maintaining self-sufficiency has become a thing of the past. Currently, the
renamed Woodstock Byrdcliffe Guild offers artist residencies, hosts educational
programs, and presents exhibitions on its grounds, and continues to draw
artists and creatives from across the country.
The artists’ colony of Cragsmoor was home to those who Title image: The Byrdcliffe Art Colony circa 1905
were inspired by the luscious landscape of the region, Panoramic courtesy of the Woodstock-Byrdcliffe Guild
including Charles C. Curran, A Breezy Day, 1887
bridge named after the 1819 short story written by stopping along the way we
took time to read about the Spotting Olana
Washington Irving. The Rip van Winkle bridge was built The view at Thomas Cole's home
from 1933-35 and here we were getting what would have bridge’s history, what points when heading back
been a bird’s eye view of this expanse of beauty that was there of interest we were viewing,
when the first American painting style was born. and the story of the region
Looking down as we walked, we saw the shifting islands at the “balconies” built into
and sand bars in the river with remnants of docks from the Skywalk. Once we hit the
boats and ferries used early on when Church, Cole, and so half-way mark, Olana stood
many others traveled back and forth. out in front of us – on its
The wind off the river is persistent, to say the least, and hilltop like a beacon telling
binoculars are a must-have item. Once we reached the West us there is so much more to
side, there was a park setting to take a break, use the witness. As we walked
restrooms, and prepare for the walk back. There was a pres- toward Church’s home,
entation taking another moment to
The view of the bridge being observe our surroundings, I
looking East held for easily saw why he picked The writer with Thomas Cole
a scholarly group on birds that spot for his incredible retreat.
of prey in the region. An It is no wonder this region inspired such
added bonus to the trip. masterful works of art – both fine art and the
Heading back across expanded arts of music, literature, and craft.
from Cole’s view, we did This is a place that stirs creativity within me.
not see the same views but Now, to apply that to the canvas …
another perspective of the For more information on the Hudson River
river and gentle hills Skywalk, visit hudsonriverskywalk.org
across the Hudson. When
September 2019 33
