Kaatskill Fall; and In the Kaatskill Clove 1866

Andrew Fisher Bunner made this pencil on paper drawing, "Kaatskill Fall; and In the Kaatskill Clove" in 1868. It depicts two scenes from the Kaatskill Mountains, a popular destination for artists and tourists in the 19th century. Bunner’s attention to detail reflects the broader cultural interest in the American landscape, especially as it symbolized national identity. During this period, the concept of wilderness was evolving, influenced by writers like Thoreau and artists of the Hudson River School, who idealized nature as a source of spiritual renewal and national pride. But as the country expanded, the wilderness came under threat from industrialization. This drawing captures a moment when Americans were beginning to confront the tension between progress and preservation. To fully understand Bunner’s work, scholars might examine travel guides, landscape paintings, and the writings of conservationists. These resources help us to grasp how art both reflected and shaped the evolving relationship between Americans and their natural environment.