American culture has been richly documented by artists over the past 250 years. From sweeping landscapes and rural farms to bustling cities and quiet small towns, and most importantly, the diverse people who inhabit them, American life has provided a wealth of inspiration for generations of artists. This course highlights six influential figures whose work embodies the American spirit. John Trumbull vividly portrayed the drama and ideals of the Revolutionary War. George Caleb Bingham pioneered American genre painting, capturing everyday life on the frontier. Grant Wood, a leading figure in the American Scene movement, celebrated the character of the Midwest. Georgia O’Keeffe, the iconic matriarch of the Southwest, explored the beauty of the desert and the abstract. Edward Hopper offered hauntingly realistic portrayals of urban isolation during the Great Depression. And Winslow Homer masterfully depicted the rhythms and resilience of 19th–century rural America. Together, their work paints a powerful portrait of the American experience.
This course is offered with the generous support of the Association for Continuing Education.