Landscapes and Inspiration
One of the great local environmental protection successes of our time is directly tied to the creative tradition of the area. See how in “Lure of the Brandywine: A Story of Land Conservation and Artistic Inspiration” at the Brandywine River Museum of Art now through Aug. 10. See approximately 45 works drawn from private and public collections, including the museum’s own holdings. The unique attributes of the landscape that attracted artists such as Jasper Cropsey, William T. Richards and members of the Wyeth family are now largely protected through the efforts of the Brandywine Conservancy, which works to preserve art and sustain the natural and cultural resources of the Brandywine watershed. Spanning more than a century, the exhibition will present artists’ responses to the pastoral Brandywine Valley while making fascinating connections to conservancy activities that preserve thousands of acres of scenic and natural resources, farmland and historic properties. Other conservancy initiatives, including reforestation, promoting the use of native plants and the creation of trail networks, all tie into the overarching goal of protecting the water quality of the Brandywine. Together, the selected works of art convey a strong sense of the region’s distinctive identity and reflect the Brandywine River Museum of Art’s rich holdings in landscape painting. “Lure of the Brandywine” underscores the innate link between artists’ appreciation of the Brandywine region’s natural beauty and the Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art’s commitment to ensuring that legacy for generations to come. (610) 388-2700, brandywinemuseum.org
