Asher B. Durand (1796–1886), a successful engraver, was inspired by Thomas Cole to become a painter; he became a major representative of the Hudson River school of painting.

Kindred Spirits

Durand’s Kindred Spirits is regarded as a masterpiece of American landscape painting. It depicts premier American landscape artist Thomas Cole (1801–1848) and romantic poet William Cullen Bryant (1794–1878) in the Catskill Mountains of New York State in 1849. Bryant’s eulogy at Cole’s funeral inspired Durand to paint a picture depicting their friendship in the natural world that they both loved so well.