Luminism is the name given to two entirely different Art Movements.
In some circles, it refers to a branch of impressionism that originated in Belgium during the late 19th and early 20th century - with the likes of Emile Claus and Théo van Rysselberghe being two of the greatest “European Luminists”. (And in this instance, the name comes from the little artist group Claus founded, which was called Vie et Lumière (or “Life and Light”)
But in fact, a few decades before all of this in the mid 1800s - there was already a burgeoning new art movement in the USA, which was also coming to be known as “Luminism”.
Here, the name was given as a direct description of the “luminosity” that these artists sought to capture in their work.
And rather than being a branch of Impressionism (Which, remember, had not even come to public attention at this point) - these artist can be seen more as heirs to the Romanticism of JMW Turner or Caspar David Friedrich, with their distinctive images of expansive landscapes. captured in soft, atmospheric colour schemes.
But of all the painters in America during the 19th century pursuing this “luminosity” in their work - without a doubt, one of the leading masters of this style is the man we are featuring today. Sanford Robinson Gifford.
Now admittedly, Gifford may not be the most famous American artist of his era.
Even as a second generation member of the “Hudson River” movement . . . his work so often seems to fly under the radar for some reason.
But as one of the most widely travelled of his contemporaries, his paintings certainly show a deep connection to the European masters like Turner or Friedrich.
Only here, Gifford’s depiction of nature is not as something wild and untamed . . . but, rather, of a world that is soft and gentle.
His ancient ruins seem somehow still imbued with the innocence of youth.
And his skies here have such a hazy beauty to them - it is as if we are stood at the break of dawn, just as the world is waking up. . . watching as the day’s flawless light slowly seeps into all the land around us.
Truly, they are a magical little escape.
And while being as a kind of “throwback” to a more romantic generation . . . they also serve as a kind of future idyll for us too.
A world where our dreams remain untouched - and beauty has conquered all.
Bonus Paintings
(Just because these landscapes are far too beautiful to leave unshared!)
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So stunning. It seems the softer they are, the more they shine. I feel so inspired by them, thank you!
In the Parthenon painting, I love the way the sky changes color so effortlessly. So hard to accomplish!