Using what you have learned about Frederick Law Olmsted from the readings and the videos, in the comments below discuss the similarities and differences that the view of nature that underlies his design of the park has with that of the artists of the Hudson River School, or Washington Irving, or transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson, or Walt Whitman.
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September 6, 2017 at 10:28 am
Frederick Law Olmsted, the superintendent designer behind New York City’s Central Park, drew from his views in the philosophy sphere in order to cultivate his man-made natures. He believed that recreational parks were crucial to the growth of civilization and democracy in urban settings; these natural escapes would serve to counteract the negative ideals imparted in the capitalist, fast paced society of the city. Olmsted’s philosophy was inspired in part by Utilitarian and Transcendentalist thought, which highlighted the beauty of simplicity, nature, and imagination.
Central Park’s designer depicted his view of nature through both his construction and the goals he aimed to achieve with the Central Park, compares and contrasts to the works of the Hudson River School. Painters of the Hudson River School created works of landscapes with characteristics from the Hudson River and the wilderness. Each of these New York City based artists, including Thomas Cole, Frederic Edwin Church, and Asher B. Durand, used their differing artistic styles and philosophies to create their paintings, as Olmsted similarly did to create his architectures. The paintings aimed to convey certain emotions to the viewers, depending on the light and mood of the landscapes; similarly, Olmsted’s plan for Central Park was planned like a work of art, with each scene meticulously constructed in order to evoke reflection within the people walking through. Both Central Park and the Hudson River School paintings could be viewed as microcosms of the nation as a whole; the Central Park reflected the nature and beauty of America’s vast western farmland while paintings of the Hudson River School highlighted the power of nature in order to help people question the growing materialistic, industrial society. Olmsted’s goal for the massive New York public park was to create a clean green space in which people could be free of the weight their of social, economic differences. Hudson River School paintings also served to be inclusive of all, because everyone has a unique tie to nature and landscape.
Olmsted’s perspective of landscape somewhat contrasted with some of the painters of the Hudson River School. Artists including Frederic Church were raised in privileged families, and the audience for their pieces were not directly to the lower or middle class. Olmsted created his vision based on the standpoint of the common man. He wanted to show people how nature could help one in times of distress or sadness. Especially for the poor crammed into the slums and tenants of the city, Central Park would serve as a setting to enable people to take a moment to breathe. Additionally, artists like Cole used more dramatic approaches to depict nature, rather than using simplistic tactics that Olmsted portrayed in his architecture to showcase nature’s wonder. Thomas Cole’s “The Titian’s Goblet” glorifies the Hudson River and the landscape around it, whereas Olmsted was careful of using artificial gardening and fences within the park to detract from the natural beauty of the environment.
September 10, 2017 at 1:52 pm
Central park, created in 1857, designed and architecture done by Calvert Vaux and Fredrick Law Olmstead with the purpose of providing an area in the city where all of the city’s inhabitants can come inside, take a stroll, sit under a tree or by the lake and relieve of all their economic and societal stress that comes with living in such an industrialized city. Fredrick Law Olmstead was always a huge advocate and a fan of nature and wild life, he even stated that the majority of his childhood he remembers as being within a forest and just appreciating the nature. This is why he was the correct candidate for becoming the first superintendent of the park. With that in mind, there are many similarities and differences with the view of nature that is underlined under Olmstead’s design of the great Central Park and to that of the magnificent art works and paintings created by artists of the Hudson River School. The purpose of Central Park and the art works done by artists including Thomas Cole, Frederic Edwin Church, and Asher B. Durand of the Hudson River School all have the same major purpose; to spark a feeling of appreciation and acceptance of the beauty of nature, either in the actual physical form of taking a walk in the park or in the materialistic form by looking at and admiring the beauty of art depicted within these paintings. Fredrick Law Olmstead and Hudson River School artists including Thomas Cole, Frederic Edwin Church, and Asher B. Durand as well as transcendentalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson, or Walt Whitman would agree upon the extreme power of nature; having the capability to erase an individual’s stress wheater it be economical or societal stress just by taking some time and appreciating the true beauty and amazement of nature. The main differences between nature underlined in Fredrick Law Olmstead’s work of Central Park and that of paintings done by artists from the Hudson River School is that Central Park was designed as a nature park for the city, in order for all the inhabitants of the city, rich or poor, economic status does not matter, are able to enter the park after a long stressful day of work in such an industrialized and capitalistic city and cool off and enjoy and appreciate the beauty and relaxation the park provides. The art designed by these very talented professional artists was only for a select few, a majority was designed for the upper-class elite, the ones who were able to afford the expensive luxury of paying for the art. The middle-class and definitely the lower-class of the time may not have even known that this art of nature was created, not having the opportunity to admire the beautiful work and appreciation of nature.
September 10, 2017 at 3:07 pm
Frederick Law Olmsted is often grouped with artists of the Hudson River School or the transcendentalists because they share a similar view of nature. For one thing, all of these artists believed that the human connection to nature is something that connects all people. Regardless of race or background, all people seem to have an affinity for nature. This can be seen in their works because the viewer is often struck with a sense of awe or wonder when seeing the beautiful landscapes these artists depict. Another similarity between these artists’ views of nature is that they sought to turn away from the rationalism of the Enlightenment and instead wanted to explore the sublime as an avenue for learning more about the world about them. This view placed less emphasis on reason and more emphasis on listening to your emotions.
One difference between Frederick Law Olmsted’s view of nature and the view of the Hudson River School artists is that Olmsted viewed his work as being a physical effort to improve the quality of life in the city as opposed to a work meant to just make a viewer think about something. Instead of improving society by making its laws and prisons more humane, he sought to elevate the taste and morals of his fellow citizens through the effects of nature, education, and culture. Another difference between Frederick Law Olmsted’s view of nature and the view of the Hudson River School artists is that Olmsted wanted his park to be enjoyed by people of all social status whereas the Hudson River School painters primarily made their works for people in the upper class. The fact that Olmsted made central park open to everyone in the city was crucial for the meaning of the work because it shows that he wanted the park to be a place where anyone in the city could take a break from the toils of urban life.
September 10, 2017 at 4:55 pm
Frederick Law Olmsted was profound American landscape architect who influenced on the geographical shape of NYC from his design and construction of Central Park in the 19th Century. He was a significant journalist who wrote articles that inspired a harmonious democratic structure of the government and unity among all people. Olmsted envisioned Central Park to be a palace ground for both rich and poor to come together and build a unified community. His view of nature that underlies the design of the park was greatly influenced by Transcendentalism and Romanticism work of Walt Whitman and the painting of Hudson River School to create unity and rationale of individuals.
The work of Olmsted’s design of Central Park was influenced by Romanticism and Transcendentalism in the aesthetic beauty of nature and sublime equality in all mankind. This ideology was the rationale of Enlightenment and the belief that individuals are more important than the divine right of nature. The Hudson River School was painting of the aesthetics landscape of the green scenery and abundant water flow which was based on the vision of romanticism. This was similar to the underlying design of the park because of its embodiment of beauty of nature and emphasis on emotions. There is a calm and smooth element in the Hudson River School, while the Central Park has a foundation of a safe haven to relax and enjoy. Olmsted was open-minded and his vision of the park and democracy was similar to Walt Whitman. It was the birth of absolute fulfillment and a profusion of humanity.
Landscape design and gardening were a place for Olmsted to turn to for solidarity and comfort, away from the reality and negativity in life. When Olmsted designed the park, he thought of the common man and for the park to be accessible to everyone. At first, New York City was a crowded, unsanitary place of commerce production. The fast-paced environment in NYC left no space for the people to “breathe.” Central Park was built with its core value as a melting pot to break the barrier of social class difference. He held a conviction that nature is healing and has a restorative psychological effect on humans. This park was a civilizing force in society to cultivate a democratic society.
September 10, 2017 at 11:08 pm
Although he was born as the wealthy son of John Olmsted, Frederick Law Olmsted wanted to understand the “common man” and their experiences as the lower class of society. This knowledge later became fundamental to his works, including the 843 acre Central Park that sits in the heart of New York City today. At a young age, he explored a variety of careers that expanded his perspectives on both the impoverished and privileged. Not only was his a merchant, but also a journalist, and most importantly, a deckhand. As a seaman, he boarded a ship to China, in which he suffered from malnutrition to the point nearing death. This, however, allowed him to truly experience the life of the common man. With this in mind, he began to understand the connection between the rich and the poor. It was not until his visit to France did he realize what was essential to the densely populated city. Spending only pennies a day, his experience living alongside the lower class showed him that communitarianism was imperative to the well being of the city.
But he knew that the city was missing something else. In his visit to Birkenhead Park in England, he noticed how diverse and harmonious the population was. Not only was there the lower and upper class, but also the middle class. At the time, this was nowhere to be found in America. Industrialization took over the minds of the people, living conditions were intolerable, and people were disconnected from each other. This visit gave him the final piece of the puzzle: that it is nature that weaves the human connection, and democracy that keeps it together.
Similar to transcendentalist ideas, Olmsted’s vision embraced the spiritual relief that nature offered. He believed that nature forms a deeper connection between people by bringing out the inherent goodness in people. At the same time, nature was necessary to cleanse the impurities of the industrial mind. Their ideas also overlaps in democracy, and their belief that democracy is crucial to the harmony of the people. Both Whitman and Olmsted wanted to satisfy the needs of the people through democracy. For Olmsted, Central Park was the simplest way to implement these ideas.
Amongst the similarities between Olmsted’s values and transcendentalist ideas, there were some major differences that distinguished the two. For one, Olmsted approached his vision through the belief that it should serve the people through spiritual relief rather than to provoke philosophical contemplation. He wanted Central Park to be a place where people can feel the cool shades of the trees and see the limitless greenery of the fields, not a place to question whether self reliance is more important than interdependence. Also, Olmsted’s communitarian beliefs contradict with transcendentalists’ idea of individualism. Transcendentalists believed that the only way for people to connect was to separate from one another, to be self- reliant and independent. Olmsted wanted nature to be part of a metropolitan area that can encourage the connection between people. These differences was what later formed Olmsted’s vision on Central Park.
September 11, 2017 at 8:32 pm
Frederick Law Olmstead was famous for building Central Park. He was influenced by Carlyle’s philosophy of improving the area around him. To follow this philosophy, Olmstead created Central Park to let Americans have a place to go to when they want to escape the hustle and bustle life of New York City or to relax after a strenuous day at work. His work was similar yet different to that of other artists during that time such as Walt Whitman and the artists of the Hudson River School
There were similarities between Walt Whitman and Olmstead. They both focused on a way to create a democratic society through their art and were open to change. Walt Whitman’s poetry showed how he was able to appreciate everyone in New York regardless of their race or gender. They both agreed that the park would be a place where the masses could interact with each other and build a community instead of having the park be for one specific class of people. Olmstead and the Hudson River School artists both looked for inspiration and focused their arts on the nature around them. Both Olmstead and the Hudson River School artists had their art attract many people and evoke positive emotions from them.
One difference between Olmstead and the other artists was that he constructed Central Park for the benefits of all citizens regardless of their class or race. He wanted to create a space where everyone could interact with each other while enjoying the healing effects of nature that surrounded them. However, the artists of the Hudson River School, they mainly worked for commissions or for the fame. This meant that only citizens with enough money could pay for the paintings whereas Olmstead’s park was free for the general public. Another difference was that the Hudson River School artists focused on British aesthetic theory for their art pieces. Olmstead, on the other hand, was against ornamental style gardening. He just wanted to produce a natural space where people can interact with each other without any tensions.
September 11, 2017 at 8:34 pm
Frederick Law Olmstead, with the help of Calvert Vaux, won a contest to design what is today Central Park. Olmsted growing up took solace in nature and it only makes sense that he would continue to study nature at Yale. However, Olmsted’s main focus was farming before he toured England and Europe and saw the large urban parks they had. It was then when he started to think about urban reform and what led him to design central park. He saw that capitalism had a negative effect on the lives of the people living in the city and he thought that they should have a place of comfort to forget about the high stress world around them. He wanted Central Park to appear infintely long so that it seemed like a real escape from the city and that there would be plenty of trees and other foliage to shut out the outside world. He also wanted Central Park to be a place that people from all classes of society could go with their families. He believed that nature has healing and restorative psychological effects which was strongly needed in such a fast growing and stressful city such as New York city. This clearly connects with a transcendentalist belief that society can corrupt individuals, but nature can restore them.
Romanticism and Transcendentalism have a similar belief that glorifies nature. Romanticism was one of the influences on the Hudson River Valley Artists such as Thomas Cole and Fredric Edwin Church. Their paintings were landscapes of nature that focused on the sublime and romantic aspects of the Hudson River Valley as well as other parts of the wilderness.
The main difference between romanticism and how Olmstead viewed nature was the effect that nature had. Romanticism involves the expression of the feelings the artist presents in their work, whereas Olmstead wanted to make Central Park and Oasis of sorts for others. He wanted his audience, the individuals that went to the park, to feel relief rather than express his own emotions throughout the park.
September 11, 2017 at 8:35 pm
Frederick Law Olmstead, with the help of Calvert Vaux, won a contest to design what is today Central Park. Olmstead growing up took solace in nature and it only makes sense that he would continue to study nature at Yale. However, Olmstead’s main focus was farming before he toured England and Europe and saw the large urban parks they had. It was then when he started to think about urban reform and what led him to design central park. He saw that capitalism had a negative effect on the lives of the people living in the city and he thought that they should have a place of comfort to forget about the high stress world around them. He wanted Central Park to appear infinitely long so that it seemed like a real escape from the city and that there would be plenty of trees and other foliage to shut out the outside world. He also wanted Central Park to be a place that people from all classes of society could go with their families. He believed that nature has healing and restorative psychological effects which was strongly needed in such a fast growing and stressful city such as New York city. This clearly connects with a transcendentalist belief that society can corrupt individuals, but nature can restore them.
Romanticism and Transcendentalism have a similar belief that glorifies nature. Romanticism was one of the influences on the Hudson River Valley Artists such as Thomas Cole and Fredric Edwin Church. Their paintings were landscapes of nature that focused on the sublime and romantic aspects of the Hudson River Valley as well as other parts of the wilderness.
The main difference between romanticism and how Olmstead viewed nature was the effect that nature had. Romanticism involves the expression of the feelings the artist presents in their work, whereas Olmstead wanted to make Central Park and Oasis of sorts for others. He wanted his audience, the individuals that went to the park, to feel relief rather than express his own emotions throughout the park.
September 11, 2017 at 9:03 pm
Frederick Law Olmsted was an established American architect. He is most known for his work in cultivating the essence of nature in New York City’s Central Park. Born in 1822, Olmsted was always intrigued by nature and often found himself wandering in the forests of Connecticut, his original home. In fact, it is known that Olmsted once embarked on a two-day journey from his home in Hartford, Connecticut to his cousin’s place in Cheshire at the mere age of nine years old. Dedicated to nature, Olmsted wasn’t interested in furthering his education. He found nature as his release in a troubled childhood. This same kind of release was the target of the formation of Central Park. Olmsted sought a place where New Yorkers could go to be free of the bustle of the developing city. He wanted citizens to breathe fresh air and be able to stretch their legs, even for an hour or so.
Olmsted’s belief for Central Park is similar to beliefs of Transcendentalism and Romanticism. Transcendentalism was a philosophical movement and a branch of Romanticism. It was popularized by Ralph Waldo Emerson and it sought to break away from the thought of the Enlightenment. Instead, it praised the individual experience through nature. Olmsted was an avid reader of Transcendentalist writers at the time, most notably Emerson himself as well as Carlyle. He implemented this way of thinking into Central Park by creating a spectacular awe of nature that could only be man-made. It is this attention to detail and spirituality in Transcendentalism that was sought after by Olmsted through his creation of the park. Moreover, he wanted to encompass the same type of aesthetic beauty inside of Central Park that was appreciated by Transcendentalists.
Although Olmsted implemented aspects of Transcendentalism in his plans of Central Park, the philosophical movement and his envision of the park differ in some ways. On one hand, the main focus of Transcendentalism is the idea of the individual. However, on the other hand, Olmsted wanted to incorporate the community of the city into Central Park. For instance, Olmsted included park benches in order to encourage citizens to sit down, take a break, and talk to the neighbor that may be sitting next to him or her. The idea was to promote the belief of the larger community in a central, common area. This contradicts the individualism and self-reliance promoted by Transcendentalism.
September 11, 2017 at 9:57 pm
When designing the urban green-space that would become Central Park, Fredrick Law Olmsted sought to create a democratizing space in the center of a heavily divided and highly strung city. Olmsted was a strong proponent of nature as a healer and egalitarian force in society.
Olmsted held that the pressures of urban life created stresses and tensions that only nature could ease. This belief was one he held in common with transcendentalists of the time. Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, a well-known example of transcendentalist literature, revolves around the idea that it is necessary for man to separate himself from the modern industrializing life and become more involved with the natural world in order to better his health and well-being. Olmsted similarly believed that interaction with nature had healing benefits for the body and mind.
Yet there are ways in which transcendentalist philosophy and the ideas of Olmsted diverge. Transcendentalist ideas often advocate the individual or self as the priority. Olmsted, however, placed great importance on the community. He sought a public space to benefit society as a greater whole. He found a lack of community in agricultural life, because of which he moved to the city as a young man. He always prioritized the greater good of the society and benefits that interaction with nature could have to civilizations, rather than the benefits to the individual as is so often prioritized in transcendentalist thought.
September 11, 2017 at 10:14 pm
Both Frederick Law Olmsted and the artists of the Hudson River School sought to provide people with the opportunity to experience nature’s beauty and elegance. The majority of New Yorkers besides the very wealthy were unable to travel beyond the city and experience nature due to the city’s grid structure which left very little room for green space. Olmsted and the Hudson River School artists allowed urban audiences in New York City to experience the natural beauty beyond the busy, filthy, and overcrowded streets that they inhabited. Both were able to capture people’s fascination with the freedom and vastness of the natural world through their work.
Despite these similarities, Olmsted and the artists of the Hudson River School presented their views of nature in different ways. Whereas Olmsted’s design of Central Park sought to bring the experience of nature to New Yorkers in the heart of their own city, the artists of the Hudson River School used their paintings to captivate their audiences into the wild and rugged landscapes of the Hudson River Valley that were unfamiliar and foreign to them. In addition, whereas Olmsted used the physical layout of Central Park to project the vastness of nature, the artists of the Hudson River School accomplished this through the vast, wide landscapes of their paintings.
September 11, 2017 at 10:37 pm
Upon his commencement of the creation of Central Park, Olmsted was most particularly motivated by his desire to create a haven of nature against the harsh urban backdrop of the evolving New York City. He is greatly regarded as the pioneer landscape architect of New York, and combined his respect for nature with his desire for social unification to create the Central Park that we know today. Although he opposed the term unification, he designed Central Park with the intention of creating community amongst those from differing social classes. Olmsted’s park vision was created with the lower class in mind, and he considered his idea to serve as a common ground amongst all men, creating a setting for egregious and neighborly meetings.
In his creation of the famous park, Olmsted included romantically curved walkways and smooth pathways, exerting a soothing nature on the inhabitants of the park. His design motivation was to produce something therapeutic for the pedestrians, whom could take relaxing strolls throughout his anti-urban design. The views of his park were meant to invoke a sense of internal contemplation or serenity, similar to the paintings of those by Hudson River School artists, like Cole or Durand. Central Park overall was meant to be a symbol of transcendentalist idea, or a redeeming power of nature, as discussed by transcendentalist writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson or Walt Whitman. The visual experience of the park was intended to create a healing release, as the closely designed aesthetic enhanced the beauty of the park and its transcendentalist theme of using nature as a revitalizing power.
A large part of transcendentalism is the idea of internal discovery and inspiration. By distracting New Yorkers from the taxing bustle of a large metropolis, the park aimed to serve as a sanctuary of self-reflection in nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson in his essay “Self Reliance” discussed the power of internal thought and confidence in your beliefs, two ideas that could easily be inspired by the tranquil landscape of the park Olmsted created. Olmsted’s park is not only a sanctuary of nature, but of thought and internal reflection in a city of hectic and differing ideas.
In opposition to transcendentalist thought like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Olmsted did not view nature as a philosophical, or to be debated. To him, the duty of nature a way to serve the public and mass needs of the people. Olmsted viewed nature less as a subject of “philosophical appreciation”, and more as a platform that could be utilized to facilitate human life, and society. Although his motivations to create the park can easily be aligned with transcendentalist values, his perspective on nature was not entirely transcendentalist.
September 11, 2017 at 10:56 pm
The large park that dominates half of Manhattan, was once any man’s prize. Frederick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux won the design contest for what is now know that Central Park. Manhattan was overcrowding and people had no mental escape from the ruckus on the streets and the polluted air. Olmstead, however, envisioned an 842-acre paradise for citizens in New York to visit and to slow down their fast-paced lives. He was a creative individual whose ideas for the park were influenced by Romanticism and Transcendentalism of the time.
Olmstead believed that the park should be a place for people of different social classes to come together in one place and enjoy nature. Much like some transcendentalist ideals, Olmstead believed in nature’s power to provide some spiritual relief. The busy streets and constant movement clutters a person’s mind and makes him/her anxious and uneasy. Nature, in a way, takes those aggravated feelings away once a person takes a breath of fresh air. As much as Olmstead believed in a healthy mind, his approach to nature was more need based rather than for philosophical contemplation. For instance, in “Nature” by Ralph Waldo Emerson, he mentions, “In the woods, is perpetual youth. Within these plantations of God, a decorum and sanctity reign, a perennial festival is dressed, and the guest sees not how he should tire of them in a thousand years. In the woods, we return to reason and faith.” Emerson and transcendentalism focus on religion as an outlet for a person’s spiritual alleviation. Thus, Emerson would consider the park to be the perfect outlet to connect oneself with god. Olmstead on the other hand, wanted to serve the public and relied on nature to heal the citizens of New York instead of religious faith. This was his way of demonstrating democracy and constructing an open space for continuous social interaction and creativity.
September 11, 2017 at 11:25 pm
Olmsted approached the idea of nature very scientifically. He believed that it had positive psychological, social and physical affects on human beings. By being in nature, the fresh air and sunlight all contributed to better physical health and sound minds. These affects were not confined to only one race or class, but was a joining factor for all peoples. Olmsted was not only a landscaper, but a social activist. Part of the reason for creating Central Park was in hopes of bringing all races and classes together in one space where they can see that they are not so different. In a time where slavery was still present and the poor was growing larger, Olmsted felt a social responsibility to take on this project to create Central Park.
Similarly, artists of the Hudson River School also believed in the calming affects of nature. They retreated into the upper parts of New York where there were still grass and trees. They painted these sceneries, keeping in mind the lack of exposure most New Yorkers have to this beauty. They wanted to recreate this feeling nature gave them through their art and share it with everybody. However, unlike Olmsted, they did this more out of their love and romantic feelings for nature, rather than for the people. They did not have the same social activeness as Olmsted did. They admired the beauties of nature and revered its importance, but they did not paint for the benefit of slaves or poor workers.
Olmsted was partially inspired by the Transcendentalist movement and its members. Amongst the more prominent, Ralph Waldo Emerson was a model transcendentalist thinker and founder of this thought. The movement began in response to the urbanization of cities, resulting in social and economic strife. Emerson believed these ills would be solved if society retreated back to its rural roots. Like Olmsted, he believed nature brought out the best in people; happiness, intelligence, creativity, kindness and peace. However, Olmsted did not agree with the idea of completely retreating back into nature. He believed nature served the needs of people, but wasn’t the solution to all social ills. The creation of Central Park was neither to compel the people back into nature, nor to only serve as something beautiful to look at, Olmsted created it for the betterment of society and its people.
September 12, 2017 at 12:07 am
Frederick Law Olmsted is regarded as the “father” of American landscape architecture, especially after having designed the famous Central Park in New York City with Calvert Vaux. Central Park represented a vision Olmsted had in his mind of a place where people can escape to from their daily lives. Both Olmsted and the artists from the Hudson River School wanted to capture the effects of nature into their art. However, whereas the artists used a canvas for their medium, Olmsted sought to bring the beauty of nature to the city where people can experience it for themselves. Additionally, the art Olmsted created could be enjoyed by everyone without any restrictions. Many artists at the time created pieces of art that only the wealthy could enjoy. Central Park, on the other hand, was art that brought people from all walks of life together, even connecting the east and west of Manhattan in one place. Olmsted did draw inspiration from the transcendentalists and their beliefs in the beauty of nature. However, unlike the transcendentalists who were more focused on the self, Olmsted was able to tie everyone together to appreciate the beauty of nature as a community. Olmsted wanted to share the impact nature had in bringing him some peace to everyone in New York City and beyond. Ultimately, all of these people would agree on the importance and power of nature.
September 12, 2017 at 3:15 am
Fredrick Law Olmstead is well known as the superintendent designer of Central Park. His admiration for nature began when he was very young. With the help of Calvert Vaux, Fredrick Law Olmstead won the contract to design Central Park. Their plan was known as the Greensward Plan. One reason as to why their plan dominated the others was their idea of building roads under the park to stop the interference of the traffic and cars. In a way I believe that this proves his influence in Transcendentalism. He was able to find a way around busy streets going through the park, which would have created a sense of uneasiness to the community. He believed that fresh air and sunlight had the ability to improve physical and mental health since it takes away all of the tensions from the urban life. He aspired to create a park that seemed infinitely long, so that the community would feel solace and escape from the stress of the city.
Transcendentalism, influenced by Romanticism, taught about the individual experience through nature. Ralph Waldo Emerson was known as an ideal Transcendentalist thinker. Olmsted did believe in Transcendentalism, however, had differing views on it than Ralph Waldo Emerson. Olmstead sought the benefit of the community as a whole, not just the individual. He designed the park in a way that the community was connected and benefited entirely.
Whitman was very similar to Olmstead in the way that their vision of the relation between democracy and parks were very similar. They both focused on the practical needs in order to create a democratic society. However, Olmstead was known as more communitarian and secular than Whitman.
September 12, 2017 at 6:49 am
Frederick Law Olmsted, a renowned landscape architect lauded for his contributions to the formation of Central Park, adopted a philosophy of employing the healing effects of nature to combat the stresses of daily hassles. Largely as a response to his early itinerant lifestyle wherein he engaged in a plethora of occupations, Olmsted sought to establish a solution to the struggles he witnessed and experienced alongside the upper, middle, and lower classes he encountered. During a time when a majority of the interactions that ensued were strictly limited to those of a commercial nature, the American society lacked the social characteristic necessary for the spirit of democracy.
The quintessence of transcendentalism lies in the individual’s connection with the nature surrounding him, and Olmsted applied aspects of this theory in his execution of the large-scale project that would become Central Park. Similar to the work of artists of the Hudson River School, Olmsted’s design centers around the restorative and social qualities of nature. Whether it is from walking among the foliage or by observing other people similarly in need of the solace found in nature, Olmsted’s intention for Central Park’s innovative design was to provide some respite from the day-to-day struggles people experience.
In contrast to some transcendentalist concepts of individual spiritual achievement, Olmsted designed Central Park in a manner that would foster social interactions, having believed that the emotional bonds formed between the people of a country would further the strength of the democracy. He also envisioned that Central Park would be a resource available for use by people of all economic classes, which was not necessarily the case with art that was an extravagance only the upper class could afford.
September 12, 2017 at 8:12 am
Frederick Law Olmsted created the Central Park as a reprieve for the city residents from the daily hustle and bustle of the city. His goal was to make it a place where the members of all classes could mix and enjoy a democratic park. He gained his experience from his many travels and visits to parks abroad and his many different vocations. He was also largely inspired by nature at a very early age as that was his reprieve and where he felt comfortable.
Olmsted read Emerson’s Nature early on. This greatly affected him by promoting transcendental ideas. One difference was that whereas transcendentalism substitutes nature for God, Olmsted believed that nature was meant to serve the people.
Olmsted was also more secular than Walt Whitman and John Ruskin who “ viewed nature as a direct revelation of God”. However, both Walt Whitman and Olmsted were democratic and it can be seen in Walt Whitman’s works and in Olmsted’s desire for Central Park to be a park for all people regardless of class.
September 12, 2017 at 8:28 am
Frederick Law Olmsted came to be superintendent under a haze of politics that was ultimately working against him. He was scoffed at and ridiculed by his superiors and juniors alike and was branded a radically impractical man who had no relevant experience in dealing with the muck and filth of Central Park’s original landscape. Of course, these attacks on his character didn’t hold as Olmsted had indeed spent a great deal of time cultivating a philosophy that intricately connected him to the park in a way that could not have been done by anyone else.
His first ventures into the mental landscape of the philosophy of nature came alongside his childhood when he would wander for days in nature and allow himself to be taken in by the soothing, calming effect of nature. As he grew up, he visited the great cities of Europe and formed his own philosophy of public parks being a democratizing feature in the setting of socioeconomic inequality. He also came to somewhat embrace the notions held by utilitarianists in that he saw a deficiency of purpose as a lack of artistic value. However, it should be noted that his brand of utilitarianism did not focus on the immediately practical, instead always referring to a long-term vision of civilizing America.
One philosophy that impacted him and his work tremendously was that of Transcendentalism. The ideology of Transcendentalism was one that rejected the rationalism of the Enlightenment, embracing instead the concept of sublime experience that encapsulated the awe of the individual and allowed him or her to become aware of and in touch with the grandeur of nature and the divine. Olmsted himself was deeply connected to the philosophy of Transcendentalism. He avidly read the works of Emerson, the father of Transcendentalist ideology, and found them to be influential in forming his cultural and intellectual aspects of life. He also met Emerson in person later on. But the most important figure in helping to form Olmsted’s views on the movement was one that not many people know to be a head of the movement itself, Thomas Carlyle. He was considered by Olmsted to be “the greatest genius in the world.” While he was a fan of it, he never considered to himself to be one, as it would not fit within his own mental parameters. He saw philosophy as an important vehicle for change but that it cannot simply stop there. It had to be put to use in a way that benefitted society and the individual.
September 12, 2017 at 9:03 am
A man of many trades, Frederick Law Olmsted worked on the U.S. Sanitary commission and in many other fields before devoting himself to his most renowned project- the famous Central Park in New York City. Living in a time after the Industrial Revolution had completely transformed the geography of New York, Olmsted developed an amicable relationship with nature while the rest of the city shrugged off nature and the wilderness as a barbarian thing of the past. New York City views of nature pushed factories onto lands where trees once stood; the change from an agrarian to a manufacturing society caused architects to completely disregard the natural world. However, during this time, Olmsted voiced an eccentric viewpoint which portrayed nature as a means of connecting to our inner universe. Olmsted believed that it was incumbent upon architects to provide civilians, especially those surrounded by machinery for the majority of their day, with a place they could forge an amicable relationship with nature for themselves.
The rather harmonious views of nature of Frederick Law Olmsted were shared by the noteworthy Ralph Waldo Emerson-who’s essay Nature is a beautiful description of the relationship every human should develop with nature. Emerson’s transcendentalist beliefs about nature parallel those of Olmsted because he too believes that nature plays an important role in reaching inner peace. Although many critics of Olmsted’s time found his work rough as it refused to overtake natural elements, Olmsted truly believed, as did Emerson, that nature was meant to be felt within the soul and could help improve the mental state of those who devoted themselves to nature.
Although both men largely shared their harmonious views about nature, notable differences did exist between their philosophies. While Emerson believed that every individual must utilize nature as a portal to connect to higher powers, Olmsted’s views outlined the social and physiological effects of spending time in nature. Olmsted’s main reasoning for building Central Park was to highlight the healing powers hidden in natural scenery and bring them closer to the inhabitants of the industrialized New York City. Additionally, while Emerson profoundly believed in unaltered nature, Olmsted thought that slightly altered and manmade natural scenery could provide individuals with the same benefits as untouched scenes from the natural world.
September 30, 2017 at 3:24 pm
The connection drawn between Frederick Law Olmsted, the Transcendentalist movement, and the artists of the Hudson River School is a logical one. All three embraced a fascination and appreciation for the natural world, partially in response to the rationalism and commercialism of the Industrial Era and the Enlightenment. American culture has included an appreciation and sense of awe regarding nature since colonial times. Americans took pride in their nation that was essentially built out of wilderness, and encouraged exploration and expansion into its uncharted territories. However, as the nation industrialized and commercial cities rose, artists, writers, and philosophers began to stress the importance and necessity of remembering rural life and escaping the polluted, slightly chaotic cities. Writer Henry David Thoreau, author of Walden, was an advocate for taking time to isolate oneself in nature, and even considered making it obligatory for all Americans to set aside land for a rural farm, or “primitive forest,” to preserve the romantic idea of living in the country. It is also out of the appreciation for natural beauty of this time that the song America the Beautiful, describing the country’s majestic landscapes, came to be written in 1893. Frederick Law Olmsted set out to design Central Park to improve the lives of those living in New York City, and to allow people to be in touch with nature in the middle of one of the busiest urban dwellings on earth. The painters of the Hudson Valley school created detailed works, with a focus on light, landscape, and foliage, that captured the sense of awe they felt when looking at untouched natural scenes.
It is important, however, to note the differences between Frederick Law Olmsted’s mentality when designing Central Park and the thinking of the Hudson Valley artists and Thoreau. First, Olmsted was aware that achieving true rustic nature in the middle of New York City was impossible. Accepting this, he aimed to create a man-made landscape that would still give urban residences the benefits of being in touch with nature and being able to escape the soot of the city for a bit. This is unlike the views of Thoreau and the Painters, who insisted on full escaping from urban life and entering into the untouched natural world, and were against tampering with nature. The second difference between the two is an understanding of the limitations of the lower social classes. Olmsted aimed to create a space that would be accessible to everyone, understanding that the lower class, that worked in factories, needed access to nature as much as the elite. Contrariwise, the paintings of the Hudson Valley artists were mainly accessible only to the upper classes, and were perhaps never seen by those who toiled in the worst industrial conditions. The urban poor simply did not have the means to escape into nature for prolonged periods and to cultivate a “primitive forest,” as was recommended by Thoreau. Thus, it is fortunate that they had access to the product of Olmsted’s design, which let everyone in New York enjoy the benefits of relaxing in nature.
It is important, however, to
October 9, 2017 at 6:57 pm
Frederick Law Olmsted’s perspective of the significance of central park centered heavily around the concept of equality between the different social classes. Especially influenced by the heavy class segregation that caused a very unhealthy social environment within New York City. Olmsted saw this project that would later become known as Central Park, to be a common space that could be shared by all people regardless of wealth, social status, and reputation. This concept would be the center of argument and controversy for Olmsted as he pushed for such equality in not only this project, but future projects as well.
Rather than focusing on a single transcendentalist, it is important to understand that it was not only a few who advocated the concept of Central Park. Transcendentalism as a concept and practice advocated for Central Park. Amongst them, many such as Whitman and Thoreau admired the concept of nature within such a robust, heavily populated, urbanized city. Central Park also offered opportunities for citizens to spend leisurely time doing literally whatever they wished to do. Whether it was an activity such as riding a boat or a bike, to simply walking around the park. Because transcendentalism emphasized the individual’s importance in self-reflection rather than reliance on religious doctrine, such an environment was an opportune environment for such enlightenment to occur.
There are many aspects of Central Park other than its overall purpose that promoted different ideals. To elaborate, the purpose was largely to ease social tensions and borders, as well as offer a peaceful environment free of the market. However other subtle details also offered a soothing affect on its ‘users’. With elegant arches and smooth designs, the entire concept of the park was to ease one’s mind in a surreal, natural environment within one of the most busiest cities of its time (and even today).