Have you heard of the Hudson River School of Painting? This mid-19th-century art movement began in the Hudson Valley of New York and expanded from there. During this time period, artists such as Thomas Cole, Asher Brown Durand, Frederick Edwin Church, Albert Bierstadt, and others painted incredible, idealized landscapes based on real places around the United States and the world. As you might imagine, some of these artists traveled to our great state to paint some of its beauty, too. Longs Peak in Colorado was a subject more than once! Read on to learn more about the ways that two Hudson River School painters captured one of Colorado’s biggest mountains.

The Hudson River School of Painting produced some amazing paintings that really captured the beauty of our nation and beyond - even if the images were a bit exaggerated.
Thomas Cole, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Thomas Cole is considered to be the father of this movement. He painted 143 works; this one, View on the Catskill was completed in 1837.
The other artists who were part of this movement painted similarly beautiful paintings. Frederic Edwin Church painted this one, Niagara, in 1857. It's a fantastic image of Niagara Falls.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Frederic_Edwin_Church_-_Niagara_Falls_-_WGA04867.jpg
Of course, some of the painters painted images of Colorado, as well. Longs Peak was an excellent subject. Albert Bierstadt was commissioned by the Earl of Dunraven to make a painting of the Estes Park and Longs Peak area in 1876.
Albert Bierstadt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
This painting is currently on display at the Denver Art Museum, if you'd like to go see it.
Sanford Robinson Gifford painted this image of Longs Peak in 1870, also.
Sanford Robinson Gifford, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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It's no surprise that these painters were drawn to Longs Peak. It's pretty spectacular.
JeffGoulden/E+ Collection via Getty Images
This mountain is one of Colorado's 58 peaks over 14,000 feet in height.
Brad McGinley Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images
Longs Peak is 14,259'. It's in Rocky Mountain National Park, if you'd like to climb it sometime.
HaizhanZheng/E+ Collection via Getty Images
Although there are 57 other peaks over 14,000' in height in our state, Longs Peak is iconic. It's one that you can easily spot from cities along the Front Range.
milehightraveler/E+ Collection via Getty Images
It's no wonder that it caught the attention of these painters over 100 years ago. It's still enchanting everyone who sees it today, and surely will forever.
Dawn Wilson Photography/Moment Collection via Getty Images

Longs Peak in Colorado is a stunning mountain. It’s beautiful in every season, and it’s no surprise that it’s such an inspiration to artists. Next time you’re nearby, take some time to really check it out – and maybe sketch or paint it if you get a chance!

Thinking about climbing Longs Peak? Go to REI.com to make sure you have all the gear that you need!

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Longs Peak, Colorado 80510, USA