Asher Brown Durand, born on August 21, 1796, in Jefferson Village (now Maplewood), New Jersey, was a prominent American painter of the Hudson River School. Durand began his career as an engraver, establishing himself as one of the foremost engravers in America by the 1820s. His engravings included works like 'Declaration of Independence' after John Trumbull. In 1835, Durand shifted his focus from engraving to painting full-time and became a central figure in the second generation of the Hudson River School. Durand's paintings typically reflect his reverence for nature, evident in his detailed landscapes that emphasize the beauty and grandeur of the American wilderness. His most famous work, 'Kindred Spirits' (1849), which depicts fellow artists Thomas Cole and William Cullen Bryant in a sublime natural setting, is a testament to his skill and his philosophical alignment with the transcendentalist movement. Durand served as president of the National Academy of Design from 1845 to 1861 and played a significant role in shaping the direction of American art during the mid-19th century. He continued to paint and influence the American art scene until his death on September 17, 1886, in Maplewood, New Jersey.
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