The Transcendental Landscapes of Christopher Pearse Cranch at Lyman Allyn

When I had announced to my father that I will be taking a museum experience class he suggested that I visit the Lyman Allyn Art Museum which is located in New London, CT. The museum was founded back in 1932 by Harriet Upson Allyn in memory of her father, Lyman Allyn. I regret to say that when he mentioned the museum to me, I knew nothing of it let alone never had heard of the place. Well, to my surprise, it was another exciting museum experience and I was happy to have gone. Again, I have this love for buildings, so you can imagine how I appreciated the outside as much as the inside. The front of the building was amazing, as I walked up the steps between the tall columns I felt as though I was entering into a state or government building by the design. As I read the banners hanging between the columns, I am reminded that the current exhibition is of Christopher Cranch and his work.
As my husband and I walked inside were greeted by a delightful woman who seemed extremely excited to be there. It’s always nice when you encounter a person who really enjoys what they do for work. Unfortunately, she told me that I would not be allowed to take any pictures inside of the building. I was disappointed but complied. I know most of you won’t be visiting this location so I wanted to share what I saw inside. Oh well, words will have to do for this visit! As we ventured up the stairs to the second floor to see the exhibition of Christopher Cranch I was in awe of the granite like stairway. The stairs were wide and beautiful, the type you would like to walk down when you are all dressed up for a fancy event, like a prom or wedding. There were many galleries upstairs; most of them included the work of Cranch. As I read the caption about Cranch and his work I learn that he seemed to be a very interesting person who had many talents. His art work was mainly paintings of landscapes and there is a bit of a different reason for it than some other painters may have for painting the countryside.
Christopher Pearse Cranch was born in the District of Columbia in 1813. He attended Columbian College and Harvard Divinity School. Cranch is not only remembered as an artist but also as a preacher, essayist, editor, writer of child fiction, poet, linguist, musician, and a caricaturist. It is amazing to me that one person could be remembered for so many things; maybe that is why he isn’t highly remembered for any one thing. You will find the most information about him is on his poetry.
Although he isn’t as well known of an artist his work had a primary reason which was to unite with God. Though that may sound a little confusing, Cranch was actually part of a movement called Transcendentalism. That is why the exhibition was called “The Transcendental Landscapes of Christopher Pearse Cranch.” As I am first walking through the exhibition I was really wondering just what is transcendentalism? It appears that there are many definitions that can be found about what it means exactly. The best way that I can explain it is that it is a group of ideas that suggest a spiritual state can’t be achieved through organized religion but through a direct connection with God by way of nature. You may think that Transcendentalism sounds like a religion but it doesn’t appear to be recognized as that. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a key driver in organizing and starting the movement. Emerson is remembered as a poet, essayist, and philosopher. Transcendentalism became more prevalent after publications Emerson made regarding the cultural movement.
Cranch really found harmony in Transcendentalism which caused controversy with his original position as a pastor. Because the movement doesn’t believe in any formalized religion, Cranch resigned from the church and dove further into his other interests trying to directly connect with God. The earth became Cranch’s pulpit and his landscape paintings were his form of religious expression.
As painting was his preferred method, Cranch also used caricatures to describe his transcendal concepts. This caricature is quite interesting. It gave me the creeps as I was looking at this sketch in Cranch’s scrapbook. It is ink on paper done around 1839 and isn’t that big, 9 3/4 x 7 5/8. This caricature is of Emerson as a large eyeball on top of a set of skinny legs. You can see why I felt creepy looking at it! It is certainly different than most things I see! Although Cranch isn’t widely known, those that know him remember him for this sketch and how could you forget it. I will never fail to remember this piece!
Cranch faced controversy as not everyone agreed with the transcendental ideas but nonetheless he seems to have been an interesting man with an extensive list of hobbies/talents. He spent his later years residing in Cambridge, MA after traveling abroad and died in 1892.
I was happy to have been able to tour the works of Cranch and tour the Lyman Allyn museum; yet another experience that I will not forget and more knowledge that I am happy to have gained.
www.age-of-the-sage.org
www.lymanallyn.org