In this ongoing series for Fine Art Today, we take a longer look at the history and features of a soon-to-be-available artwork of note. This week: Jasper Francis Cropsey, “Greenwood Lake, New Jersey.”
An important member of the Hudson River School, painter Jasper Francis Cropsey (1823-1900) is perhaps best known for his stunning autumnal landscapes of the northeastern United States. Frequently pushing the boundaries of naturalism and idealism, Cropsey’s works are often recognized for their vivid colors.
Unfortunately, Cropsey did not achieve much renown during his life, having only been rediscovered in the 1960s. Since then, the appreciation and market for Cropsey’s originals have rocketed. Today, the artist’s works can be found in a number of prestigious private and public collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the L.A. County Museum of Art, and the Detroit Institute of Arts, to name a few.
Like his Hudson River colleagues, Cropsey viewed landscape as the ultimate art form — a direct expression and manifestation of God. His views of unspoiled American landscapes fostered in him a strong sense of patriotism as well.
Heading to auction on November 13 via Clars Auction Gallery in Oakland, California, is a stunning autumnal view by Cropsey. Dated to 1874, this mature work is a quintessential picture in the artist’s oeuvre. In a work set along the mountainous shores of Greenwood Lake in New Jersey, viewers find themselves in a small cove. The colors are absolutely brilliant in the painting, with yellows, oranges, reds, and ribbons of green dotting the shores. A golden haze blankets the scene as well, endowing the work with a dreamy tone.
Auction estimates are between $80,000 and $120,000. To learn more, visit Live Auctioneers.
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