Early Life and Training
Jasper Francis Cropsey, a prominent American painter, was born on February 18, 1823, in Rossville, Staten Island, New York. As the oldest of eight children, Cropsey's early life was marked by recurring periods of poor health, which led to his self-taught drawing skills. His early drawings, often architectural sketches and landscapes, were drawn on notepads and in the margins of his schoolbooks.
Career
Cropsey trained as an architect under Joseph Trench in the early 1840s, while also receiving instruction in watercolor painting from Edward Maury. He set up his own architecture office in 1843 but soon turned exclusively to landscape painting after being elected an associate member of the National Academy of Design in 1844.
- Italian Compositions (1845), one of Cropsey's early exhibitions, showcased his emerging talent.
- A European trip from 1847 to 1849, visiting England, France, Switzerland, and Italy, further refined his skills.
- Upon returning, he became a full member of the National Academy of Design in 1851.
Hudson River School and Notable Works
As a first-generation member of the
Hudson River School, Cropsey's paintings startled viewers with their boldness and brilliance. His belief that landscapes were the highest art form, reflecting his interest in nature's influence on human existence, is evident in works such as:
Museums and Collections
Today, Cropsey's paintings are found in many major American museums, including:
Rediscovered in the 1960s, Cropsey's work now enjoys a prominent place in American art history.
Legacy
Jasper Francis Cropsey passed away on June 22, 1900, but his legacy as a master of American landscape painting endures. His contributions to the Hudson River School and his architectural designs for New York's elevated railways remain an integral part of American art and architecture history.
Jasper Francis Cropsey, a name synonymous with American landscape painting, continues to inspire art enthusiasts worldwide.