Artist. A naturalist landscape painter, he became an important part of the Hudson River School American art movement during the mid-19th century. Born the 8th of 11 children in Jefferson Village (now Maplewood), New Jersey, his father was a watchmaker and silversmith. From 1812 until 1817 he apprenticed with engraver Peter Maverick in Newark, New Jersey and then led the firm's New York City branch until 1820. In 1823 he completed his engraving of artist John Trumbull's famous painting "The Declaration of Independence" which soon established his reputation as one of the young country's finest engravers. In 1825 he assisted in organizing the New York Drawing Association that evolved into the National Academy of Design. In 1830 he began to devote his interest to oil painting, and after accompanying artist Thomas Cole on a sketching trip to Schroon Lake in upper New York, he began painting landscapes, taking summer excursions to sketch scenes in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains of New York and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and turning them into paintings. His notable works include "View near Rutland, Vermont" (1837), "Gathering Storm" (1837), "The Capture of Major Andre" (1845), "The Indian's Vespers" (1847), "Kindred Spirits" (1849), "Kaaterskill Landscape" (1850), "Progress" (1853), "The Catskills" (1859), "Landscape" (1859), and "Rocky Cliff" (1860). From 1845 until 1861 he served as president of the National Academy of Design. In 1855 he oublished his book "Letters on Landscape Paintings." He retired to his home in Maplewood, New Jersey in 1869 but continued to show his work at venues such as the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died in Maplewood, New Jersey the age of 90.
Artist. A naturalist landscape painter, he became an important part of the Hudson River School American art movement during the mid-19th century. Born the 8th of 11 children in Jefferson Village (now Maplewood), New Jersey, his father was a watchmaker and silversmith. From 1812 until 1817 he apprenticed with engraver Peter Maverick in Newark, New Jersey and then led the firm's New York City branch until 1820. In 1823 he completed his engraving of artist John Trumbull's famous painting "The Declaration of Independence" which soon established his reputation as one of the young country's finest engravers. In 1825 he assisted in organizing the New York Drawing Association that evolved into the National Academy of Design. In 1830 he began to devote his interest to oil painting, and after accompanying artist Thomas Cole on a sketching trip to Schroon Lake in upper New York, he began painting landscapes, taking summer excursions to sketch scenes in the Catskill and Adirondack Mountains of New York and the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and turning them into paintings. His notable works include "View near Rutland, Vermont" (1837), "Gathering Storm" (1837), "The Capture of Major Andre" (1845), "The Indian's Vespers" (1847), "Kindred Spirits" (1849), "Kaaterskill Landscape" (1850), "Progress" (1853), "The Catskills" (1859), "Landscape" (1859), and "Rocky Cliff" (1860). From 1845 until 1861 he served as president of the National Academy of Design. In 1855 he oublished his book "Letters on Landscape Paintings." He retired to his home in Maplewood, New Jersey in 1869 but continued to show his work at venues such as the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died in Maplewood, New Jersey the age of 90.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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