Not by chance, there are three prominent tree trunks, which cluster off to the left of the painting.
The subject matter of the painting itself, is nature, God, and art. Three also represents the greatly valued friendship of the three men. The number three reflects the Holy Trinity, and in accordance with their philosophy, God is in the very essence of all they survey. The significance of the number three, is echoed in nearly every element of the painting. Bryant stands close to his friend, and his hat is removed in reverence to the natural beauty that surrounds him. Identified by his brilliant red portfolio, Cole gestures out toward the intoxicating view, with his walking stick. The sites that Durand chose to combine are Kauterskill Falls, and Catskill Cove. The scene is a combination of their two favorite haunts in The Catskill Mountains. The figures of the two men in the painting stand serenely at the edge of a rocky cliff. William Cullen Bryant is in fact the namesake for the lovely Bryant Park, which is located behind the library. After Bryant’s death, his daughter donated Kindred Spirits, as well as numerous literary works to The New York Public Library. In 1857, the original 778 aches of the park were opened. Although he did not know it then, Bryant’s lofty vision would forever change the landscape, and quality of life in Manhattan. Leading the charge for the new park, was William Cullen Bryant. For these high thinkers, the closer one was connected to nature, the closer one was connected to God. A place where they could connect on a spiritual level with nature. The park would serve as an oasis in the midst of a hectic, cluttered, urban life, where city residents could bask in the splendor of the great outdoors. The Naturalists and Transcendentalists of New York City high society, felt keenly the need to build a massive, man made park, in the center of the city.
Although the iconic park is now somewhat synonymous with the city itself, in 1849, it was nothing more than a wonderful dream. Soon after, he was invited into a highly selective intellectual circle of New York City, which already boasted poet William Cullen Bryant, and artist Asher Durand as members. William Cullen Bryant, the celebrated, romantic, poet, played a pivotal role in the planning and initiation of Central Park. Upon his discovery by already revered painter John Trumbull, Thomas Cole was introduced to artist Asher Durand. Cole’s painting style was dominated by pastoral, romantic landscape scenes of the Hudson River area. Acclaimed for their expert realism, their philosophy of painting was heavily influenced by the philosophy of Transcendentalism. The Hudson River School was a stringent academic school of painting, that specialized in landscapes. Cole became an eminent American landscape painter, and is now considered to be the father of the celebrated Hudson River School of painting. He made his new home amongst the picturesque vistas of The Catskill Mountains. After living in various Mid-Atlantic states, he moved to New York State, where he began his love affair with The Hudson River area. Thomas Cole was born in Lancashire, England, and immigrated to America at the tender age of 16. Illustrated in the painting, are Thomas Cole and William Cullen Bryant.
The painting is a true testament to Thomas cole’s value as a friend, as well as his influence on Durand as an artist. There was certainly no better way to memorialize such a venerable painter and thinker as Thomas Cole, than by depicting him with his dear friend William Cullen Bryant, communing together in their beloved sanctuary of nature. Indeed, he could not have painted a more breathtaking tribute. Painted in 1849, one year following the death of Thomas Cole, Durand’s masterpiece was a tribute to his dear friend and colleague. It was in the pristine wildness itself, that real truth and morality was found. Indeed, the popular thought in America at the time, was that the wild beauty of untarnished nature, was morality and goodness. They were great proponents of Transcendentalist and Naturalist Philosophies. In addition to their love of art, the three men shared the view that communing in nature, was not unlike communing with God himself. Durand, Bryant, and Cole were indeed what one would consider birds of a feather, and so the title of the painting is entirely apropos. Commissioned for William Cullen Bryant’s memorial of lauded landscape painter Thomas Cole, Asher Durand’s painting entitled Kindred Spirits, is considered to be the most celebrated of all Hudson River School landscapes.
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