WEBINAR – Botanical Exchanges: The Art of Emily Cole and Isabel Charlotte “Downie” Church

Emily Cole and Downie Church were both prolific painters of flora, finding inspiration in the meadows, orchards, and gardens of their Hudson Valley homes. As friends, neighbors, and fellow artists, Emily Cole and Downie Church continued the legacy of artistic mentorship begun by their artist fathers, Thomas Cole (1801-1848) and Frederic Edwin Church (1826-1900). This discussion will explore how Emily Cole’s and Downie Church’s artistic practices—largely characterized by the close observation of the natural world, specifically its flora—reflect personal expression, gendered expectations, and the professional artistic networks and trends of the late 19th century

Join Allegra Davis (former Associate Curator, The Olana Partnership; M.A. candidate in the History of Art & Architecture, Boston University) and Amanda Malmstrom (Associate Curator, Thomas Cole National Historic Site) for a conversation on 19th-century flower painting with focus on the artwork of Emily Cole (1843–1913) and Isabel Charlotte “Downie” Church (1871–1935).

This program is presented in collaboration with the Thomas Cole National Historic Site in connection to their exhibition, EMILY COLE: Ceramics, Flora & Contemporary Responses, on view through November 2, 2025.