Where I Lived For, By Henry David Thoreau

Their paintings were competing with the extremely popular and realistic paintings of the Romantic artists, who were able to show a more sublime side of nature. Many of the Romantic paintings, have rolling fields of vibrant greens or a golden sun illuminating the entire compositions. An extremely significant line from “Where I lived and What I lived for” is “It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do.” Thoreau was saying that the individual controls the meaning of the art of living. The control the way that they see the world and it is easy for
He would have seen the Hudson River School paintings and other works by lesser acclaimed artists. These artists focus on spiritual truths and transcendence to a higher state of being in their paintings which Thoreau would have appreciated. He was living as a member of society during the time of traveling exhibitions, and he would have seen Romantic paintings from Europe and American artists. His chances to see impressionist paintings were very limited, because the style was taking off at the end of his life, but was not in full swing until after his death. However, some of the cultural style would have permeated into North American continent. The Impressionists artists were able to draw their inspiration from the natural world, in ways comparable to how Thoreau found his artistic inspiration while at Walden Pond. In order for Thoreau to write Walden, he needed to spend two years living in relative solitude at his cabin. Having those personal first hand experiences were crucial in allowing him to accurately depict his time at the pond. Impressionism was about capturing a moment and a personal experience with nature. Impressionists were the first to go out and experience nature, and this practice was necessary to paint an Impressionist
Their paintings were competing with the extremely popular and realistic paintings of the Romantic artists, who were able to show a more sublime side of nature. Many of the Romantic paintings, have rolling fields of vibrant greens or a golden sun illuminating the entire compositions. Although the strokes were realistic, this style of painting eliminated any blemishes or imperfections that would be found in nature. However, Thoreau tended to turn away from not only what society was accepting but what they were advocating for. He would have been more attracted to the rebellious Impressionist landscapes that were circulating around the end of his life. This impulse to expand and progress as a society was encouraged and idealized by the Romantic artists. However, throughout all of Walden, Thoreau questions the “improvements” of society and if they are actually making society as a while better. Thoreau constantly advocated for simplicity over materialism, and in “Economy” Thoreau discusses the lack of possessions he brought to the pond. He discusses the benefits of living a simplified lifestyle and even includes documentation of his very minimal expense