Poet-Painter of the Mississippi

Perspectives from The Artist's Road

The Bridge by Frederick Oakes Sylvester

Painters have always been drawn to rivers and shorelines as subjects for making great art and there are good reasons for this. Shorelines, whether ocean, bay or river are interesting and dynamic places where land, air and water creatures meet. Human activity along rivers and shores can also be picturesque, whether it be the watering of livestock or the frenetic energy of industry or transportation.

Throughout history, the mighty Mississippi River has often been seen more for its function than its beauty. There has been no Mississippi River School of Artists. But there have been artists to whom it has provided great inspiration, including George Caleb Bingham, John Banvard, John Frederick Kensett and perhaps one of the greatest, Frederick Oakes Sylvester.

I have come back, my river,
I have returned to you.
In my journeys, far and near,
I have found no stream your peer,
Nor found your equal in the whole world through.
I ha…