The Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland, opens a new exhibition titled "In Nature’s Studio: Two Centuries of American Landscape Painting," running from September 13, 2025, to January 4, 2026. The show features nearly 90 paintings from the museum's own collection and that of the Reading Public Museum, spanning movements from the Hudson River School to Impressionism, Tonalism, and modern trends, with highlights including Frederic Church's "Cotopaxi" (1862) and Thomas Cole's study for "The Voyage of Life: Childhood."
The exhibition matters because it offers a comprehensive survey of American landscape art over 200 years, tying into the museum's celebration of America's 250th birthday. By organizing works thematically around spirituality, human impact on nature, and the influence of European travel, the show provides a nuanced look at how American artists have interpreted the landscape, making it relevant to audiences interested in art history, environmentalism, and national identity.