From its origins in the Adirondack Mountains of northern New York to its majestic course alongside Manhattan’s bustling streets, the Hudson River holds a singular place in American art, architecture, and literature. This book delves into the river’s multifaceted history through thematic lenses: the natural river, the imagined river, the human river, and the working river. In addition to showcasing celebrated works by Hudson River School painters like Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Cole, it features fresh literary contributions from authors such as Rick Moody, Carolyn Forché, John Stilgoe, and Philip Lopate.
The book weaves together objects of material culture, tourism, and science, creating a rich backdrop that reveals the many dimensions of the Hudson’s existence. Meanwhile, contemporary artists like Matthew Buckingham, Peter Hutton, Yvonne Jacquette, and An-My Lê encourage us to rethink our relationship with the river, nature, and history. This volume brings to light the intersecting environmental, historical, and personal narratives that converge along the Hudson’s shores, inviting readers on a journey that ultimately leads back to the river itself.