Ruben Natal-San Miguel at the opening reception for "Modern Women / Modern Vision: Photographs from the Bank of America Collection" at the The Hudson River Museum

  Dorothea Lange (American, 1895–1965) Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California, 1936 (printed 1967). Gelatin silver print. Bank of America Collection. Courtesy of Hudson River Museum.

By RUBEN NATAL-SAN MIGUEL January 31st, 2026

The Hudson River Museum (hrm.org) has long been on my list of places to visit. On the evening of January 29, 2025, in the depths of winter, the opening reception for Modern Women / Modern Vision: Photographs from the Bank of America Collection (on view January 30 – May 10, 2026) gave me the perfect reason to finally make the trip. My neighbor Anna Lustberg mentioned that her sister, Arin Lustberg, works at the museum as Manager of Members & Member Events, so we hopped on Metro-North from 125th Street. A short ride later, we arrived.

The museum itself is wonderful, and the reception was thoughtfully executed — including cheeses from women-owned companies, a detail that subtly reinforced the exhibition’s feminist framework. The setting of the Hudson River Museum is equally impressive; I’m already looking forward to returning during daylight hours to take in the surroundings.

The staff were warm and welcoming throughout the evening, including Samantha Hoover (Deputy Director), Laura Vookles (Chair, Curatorial Department), Shilpi Chandra (Assistant Curator), Jeana Wunderlich (Assistant Director of Development), Laura Owens (Development Officer), Nancy DeNatale, along with numerous patrons, trustees, and staff members who made the event feel both celebratory and intimate.
 

 Sandy Skoglund (American, b. 1946), Revenge of the Goldfish, 1981. Cibachrome print (edition 7 of 30). Bank of America Collection. Courtesy of Hudson River Museum. © Sandy Skoglund.

Modern Women / Modern Vision

From the museum’s wall text:

“Since photography’s inception in 1839, women have stood among its artistic and technological pioneers, at the forefront of every photographic movement and style. Iconic works by Diane Arbus, Graciela Iturbide, Barbara Kruger, Dorothea Lange, Cindy Sherman, and Carrie Mae Weems, among many others, tell the dynamic story of photography’s evolution across six thematic sections: Modernist Innovators; Documentary Photography and the New Deal; the Photo League; Modern Masters; Exploring the Environment; and the Global Contemporary Lens.

Women played an integral role in framing the modern experience through the camera’s lens. From 1900 onward, they navigated sweeping social, political, and economic changes, increasingly using photography as a means of creative expression, financial independence, and personal freedom. By pushing beyond the limitations imposed on women’s roles and behavior, early trailblazers helped establish photography as both a vital art form and a powerful social document. They often pursued subjects overlooked by their male counterparts, expanding the medium’s scope and reshaping its cultural significance for generations to come.”

Tina Barney (American, b. 1945), Father & Sons, 1996 (printed 2006). Color coupler print. Bank of America Collection. Courtesy of Hudson River Museum.

 Cindy Sherman (American, b. 1954), Untitled Film Still #50, 1979 (printed 1989). Gelatin silver print. Bank of America Collection. Courtesy of the artist, Hauser & Wirth, and Hudson River Museum.

 Graciela Iturbide (Mexican, b. 1942), Fiesta de las Velas (Festival of the Candles), Juchitán, Oaxaca, Mexico, 1986 (printed c. 1992). Gelatin silver print. Bank of America Collection. © Graciela Iturbide. Courtesy of Hudson River Museum.

 Berenice Abbott (American, 1898–1991), Night View, New York, 1932 (printed later). Gelatin silver print. Bank of America Collection. Courtesy of Hudson River Museum.

 Laura Vookles, Chair of the Curatorial Department at the Hudson River Museum, in front of works by Barbara Kruger. Photo by Ruben Natal-San Miguel.
 

 Shilpi Chandra, Assistant Curator at the Hudson River Museum, in front of Dorothea Lange’s Migrant Mother. Photo by Ruben Natal-San Miguel.

There are many more powerful photographs in this exhibition that collectively trace history while highlighting how women artists defied barriers, persevered, and ultimately transformed a male-dominated field. Seeing now-canonical works by Diane Arbus, Carrie Mae Weems, and others in this context is both grounding and energizing.

This is a beautifully curated and elegantly installed exhibition — refined, thoughtful, and visually striking. In challenging times, it offers not just historical perspective but also a reminder of the enduring force of women’s creative vision. I could say much more, but it’s better to experience it firsthand. Highly recommended.