Clove Road, Catskills; Through the Clove—Catskills; and On the Road to Bracketts [recto] 1866

Andrew Fisher Bunner made this pencil drawing of the Catskills, likely in the 1870s or 80s. The three sketches capture different views along Clove Road, a passage through the mountains. Bunner's focus on landscape reflects the growing interest in nature during the 19th century, both as a source of spiritual renewal and national identity. Artists like Bunner, and institutions such as the National Academy of Design where he trained, promoted landscape painting as a distinctively American genre, free from European influences. Yet, this romantic vision often overlooked the impact of settlement and industry on the environment. By focusing on the picturesque qualities of the Catskills, Bunner's drawings participate in the complex cultural and economic forces shaping the region. To gain a deeper understanding of Bunner’s art, one might look into period guidebooks and tourism ephemera, tracing the evolving image of the Catskills. It is through this interdisciplinary approach that we can understand the changing relationship between Americans, art, and the environment.