![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-outside.jpg)
New Britain, Connecticut
I made this trip with my family to the Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art. I wanted to study some Hudson River School paintings in the museum’s permanent collection. Below are a series of photographs I captured showing various closeup details for several oil paintings. The closeup details are very informative, and by studying them, a person can start to appreciate and understand how the painting layers were constructed. The colors in these photographs are not modified from my digital camera, they may not represent the colors of the paintings hanging in the museum, but they are relatively close.
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art and O'Keefe Family](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-family-photo.jpg)
Hudson River School – “The Boating Party” by George Wellington Waters
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art, 'The Boating Party' by George Wellington Waters](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting1.jpg)
The Boating Party ca. 1870s
Oil on Canvas
Harriet Russel Stanley Fund
2005.04
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'The Boating Party' by George W. Waters - Detail view #1](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting1-detail1.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'The Boating Party' by George W. Waters - Detail view #2](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting1-detail2.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'The Boating Party' by George W. Waters - Detail view #3](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting1-detail3.jpg)
Hudson River School – “Sunday Morning” by Asher Brown Durand
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art, 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2.jpg)
Sunday Morning, 1860
Oil on Canvas
Charles F. Smith Fund 1963.04
(Note: The gallery lighting creates the illusion that the sun
is located in the center of the painting, the real
location of the sun is about 2 o’clock (far right side)
and off the canvas.)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #1](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail-left.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #2](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail1.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #3](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail1b.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #4](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail1c.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #5](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail1d.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #6](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail1e.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #7](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail2.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #8](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail2a.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #9](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail2d.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #10](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail2b.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #11](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail2e.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #12](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail2c.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #13](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail2f.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #14](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail3.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #15](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail4.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #16](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail4b.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Sunday Morning' by Asher Brown Durand - Detail view #17](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting2-detail4c.jpg)
Hudson River School – “Scene Near Fishkill Hudson River” by Paul Weber
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art, 'Scene Near Fishkill Hudson River' by Paul Weber](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting4.jpg)
Scene Near Fishkill Hudson River, 1855
Oil on Canvas
Promised gift of Harriet and Walter Huber
2007.40
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Scene Near Fishkill Hudson River' by Paul Weber - Detail View #1](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting4-detail1.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Scene Near Fishkill Hudson River' by Paul Weber - Detail View #2](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting4-detail2.jpg)
Hudson River School – “Ipwich Marshes” by Martin Johnson Heade
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art, 'Ipwich Marshes' by Martin Johnson Heade](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting3.jpg)
Ipwich Marshes, 1867
Oil on Canvas
Stephen B Lawrence Fund 1961.16
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Ipwich Marshes' by Martin Johnson Heade - Detail View #1](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting3-detail1.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'Ipwich Marshes' by Martin Johnson Heade - Detail View #2](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting3-detail2.jpg)
Hudson River School – “West Rock, New Haven” by Frederic Edwin Church
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art, 'West Rock, New Haven' by Frederic Edwin Church](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting6.jpg)
West Rock, New Haven, 1849
John Butler Talcott Fund
Oil on Canvas
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'West Rock, New Haven' by Frederic Edwin Church - Detail view #1](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting6-detail1.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'West Rock, New Haven' by Frederic Edwin Church - Detail view #2](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting6-detail2a.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'West Rock, New Haven' by Frederic Edwin Church - Detail view #3](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting6-detail3.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'West Rock, New Haven' by Frederic Edwin Church - Detail view #4](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting6-detail3a.jpg)
![Hudson River School painting entitled 'West Rock, New Haven' by Frederic Edwin Church - Detail view #5](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting6-detail4.jpg)
Hudson River School – “The Wilds of Lake Superior” by Thomas Moran
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art, 'The Wilds of Lake Superior' by Thomas Moran](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting7.jpg)
The Wilds of Lake Superior, 1864
Oil on Canvas
Charles F. Smith Fund
1944.04
Hudson River School – “Midwinter Moonlight” by Francois Gignoux
![Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art, 'Midwinter Moonlight' by Francois Gignoux](https://static.okeefe-arts.com/images/jok/blog/journal/john-okeefe-jr/2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art/john-okeefe-jr-2009-new-britain-museum-of-american-art-painting8.jpg)
Midwinter Moonlight, before 1869
Oil on Board
Charles F. Smith Fund
Concluding Thoughts – Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art
What a great exhibit of the Hudson River School by New Britain Museum of American Art. Seeing close-up of how master painters from history did their work is invaluable. In person, you can see each brush stroke, tell what the artist deliberately intended in one area, and see where some overpainting happened in another. Overpainting indicates the artists changed something they didn’t feel was right the first time they put down the paint. This visit was an education.