A new PBS documentary explores the roots of the Hudson River School of painting, active from about 1825 to 1880, in America. The lives, careers, and works of artists Cole, Durand, Bierstadt, Church and Cropsey are explored in “The Hudson Riv­er School: Artistic Pioneers,” providing a rich look at the country's first homegrown art movement.

Produced and created by Vin Tabone, a Hudson River Valley native who formerly worked for Sony Music, the 74-minute piece delivers insights from art experts and scholars, rolls footage from historic sites and the artists' landscapes, and shows brilliant examples of period artwork. In this first of a planned 5-part series, images of seminal works were provided from a number of sources, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The New-York Historical Society. 

Tabone explained to Vassar College's The Miscellany News, “The history and the aesthetic from the region is reflected in the artwork of the Hudson River School, and it tells so many stories about the great changes that occurred...in 19th Century America.”

He continued, “Maybe most importantly their artistic message called for the conser­vation and preservation of the land that they loved and inspired them–so much so they felt the untouched, wild wilderness was a direct manifestation of the Divine. The information and visual illustration gives the viewer a sense of understanding of what came before them and how the country and the landscape evolved into what it is today.”

Look for programming on local PBS stations, or a DVD is available through shoppbs.org, Amazon, or BarnesandNoble.com.