An outgrowth of the Romantic movement, the Hudson River School was the first native art movement in the United States; it was strongly nationalistic both in its proud celebration of the natural beauty of the American landscape and in the desire of its artists to become independent of European schools of painting.

A pioneer of modern art, Marc Chagall (1887-1985) is known for his imaginative paintings and prints that combine figures, folklore and fantasy. Raised in Russia, Chagall mastered his craft after moving to Paris in 1910, where he lived and worked among a colorful group of artists.