The Fall of the Wild: Taming Nature in American Painting

Event Details

The meaning of America itself is embedded in the long tradition of landscape painting in our country, ideas that have been contested within our nation from the very beginning of the colonies. Our ideas of landscape have shaped human settlement and disruption; our idea of what is valuable in nature dictates decisions about preservation and exploitation of various lands. The act of taming the landscape is at the center of the American experiment, and the metaphorical meanings of American landscape are nowhere more evident than in art. In this talk, Dr. Elizabeth Kuebler-Wolf will explore representations of American landscapes to demonstrate what they reveal about American ideals and values.

Beth is associate professor of art history at the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne, where she teaches classes in modern and contemporary art. Her research focuses on the history of American art and visual culture with a special interest in antebellum culture. Her most recent publication is “Gilbert Hunt, the City Blacksmith: slavery, freedom, and fame in antebellum Richmond, Virginia,” as a chapter in The Many Faces of Slavery New Perspectives on Slave Ownership and Experiences in the Americas (Bloomsbury Academic, 2020).

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This talk is held as part of Ouabache Land Conservancy’s “An Evening of Art & Nature” to commemorate its 14th Annual Celebration. The celebration includes a buffet dinner catered by Federal Coffee + Fine Foods, a social hour featuring an art exhibition with works of Curt Stanfield and Lavinia Hale (with half of the proceeds donated to OLC), live music, and a silent auction begins at 5:30 pm; and the buffet starts at 6:30 pm. Introductions, awards, and Beth’s presentation will follow. Members and non-members are welcome to attend with an RSVP.

For more information and to RSVP for the full celebration for $50 (including dinner), please visit bit.ly/2024OLCAC by March 7th. There is an option to only attend Beth’s talk at 7:30 pm for a $5 donation–please visit bit.ly/2024OLCACTalk to RSVP for only the presentation.

OLC is a 501(c)3 non-profit land trust that provides land protection services in Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion, and Vigo counties. To learn more about the Annual Celebration, other events, protecting land, and how to donate or join, please visit: www.ouabachelandconservancy.org, and follow OLC on Facebook.