As America transformed from its colonial period to a fully-fledged nation, the paintings of the Hudson River School of artists in the 19th century depicted the Hudson River Valley and the surrounding area, including the Catskill, Adirondack, and White Mountains. A common theme was the belief that nature in the form of the American landscape was a reflection of God, and the artists' work reflected the themes of a 19th-century American interest in discovery and exploration as the country expanded westward. The Hudson River School artists also influenced other artists to explore the American wilderness and paint the luminous skies of the Eastern Seaboard to the coppery colors of the Southwest.

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, and author. She lectures worldwide on art and architectural history, and leads art and architecture tours throughout the world. She has been named a Distinguished Instructor at UCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture, interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She is also Professor Emeritus of Art and Architectural History at Santa Monica College. She has done graduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby's Institute in London and New York. She has served as a Design Review Commissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the John Lautner Foundation.