Final answer:
The first recognized artist in New York was Thomas Cole, associated with the Hudson River School, a group of landscape painters in the 19th century. Cole played a significant role in developing a new style of landscape painting influenced by the American wilderness, emphasizing natural light in the paintings.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first recognized artist in New York was Thomas Cole, who was associated with the Hudson River School, a group of landscape painters in New York in the 19th century. Thomas Cole was not a founder but the first teacher of the Hudson River School, and he played a significant role in developing a new style of landscape painting influenced by the American wilderness. The artists of the Hudson River School focused on capturing the beauty of remote, unsettled places, such as the mountains of the Catskills, and emphasized the use of natural light in their paintings.