Ernest Lawson Original Antique Late 19th Century New York City The Eight American Impressionism Riverside Red Rooftop Cottages Landscape Oil Painting
Ernest Lawson, (1873-1939), original antique American impressionist/realist oil on canvas oil painting of a riverbank landscape in the South of France, of red roof cottages, circa 1894. The painting has had very minor professional restoration in the sky, to repair a 1" cut, just to the left of the pink tree in the center. All other paint is original to the painting. The painting is in very good condition and is signed along the center lower edge. The measurements of the painting are approximately 9" X 14", plus the original antique gold gild carved wood frame.
Ernest Lawson, born on March 22, 1873, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was a Canadian-American painter known for his contributions to the art world. He showcased his work at the Canadian Art Club and was a member of the American group known as The Eight. This group was formed in 1908 to challenge the conservative exhibition policies of the National Academy of Design, which they believed limited artistic expression. While Lawson primarily focused on landscape painting, he also created a small number of realistic urban scenes. His artistic style was heavily influenced by renowned artists such as John Henry Twachtman, J. Alden Weir, and Alfred Sisley. Positioned between Impressionism and realism, Lawson is often regarded as a Canadian-American Impressionist.
During his youth, Lawson was born into a prominent family in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1873. In 1888, he relocated to the United States and settled in Kansas City. In 1891, he moved to New York and enrolled in classes at the Art Students League, where he studied under John Twachtman. Twachtman's teachings introduced Lawson to Impressionism and greatly influenced his artistic development. Lawson furthered his studies with Twachtman and J. Alden Weir at their summer art school in Cos Cob, Connecticut during the 1890s. His exposure to the art colony movement during this time played a significant role in shaping his artistic style. In 1893, Lawson traveled to France and studied at the Académie Julian under the tutelage of Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant and Jean-Paul Laurens. He engaged in plein-air painting in southern France and Moret-sur-Loing, where he had the opportunity to meet Alfred Sisley, the English Impressionist.
As Lawson matured as an artist, he developed his unique aesthetic. Encouraged by artists like Robert Henri and William Glackens, he began associating with other independent artists around 1903. In 1898, Lawson moved to Washington Heights in Upper Manhattan. For the next two decades, his artwork focused on various subjects found in that sparsely populated area, such as Fort Tryon Park, the Harlem River, Spuyten Duyvil, fields, bridges, docked boats, tree-covered hills, and rocky inclines on the outskirts of the city. Although his paintings often depicted uninhabited landscapes, they exuded a tactile sense of paint and subtle chromatic brilliance. Critics described Lawson's skill as originating from a "palette of crushed jewels," highlighting the vividness of his work. In 1907, Lawson had his first solo exhibition at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where he won a prize for a winter landscape that became one of his most recognizable subjects. The following year, he joined a rebellious group known as "The Eight," which included influential artists such as Robert Henri, William Glackens, John Sloan, George Luks, Everett Shinn, Arthur B. Davies, and Maurice Prendergast.
The formation of The Eight marked an important milestone in Lawson's artistic journey. The exhibition of The Eight at the Macbeth Galleries in New York in 1908 was a resounding success, causing controversy and capturing significant media attention. While sales didn't meet their expectations, the exhibition sparked public discussions about the direction of American art and challenged conservative tastes.
Despite being recognized for his talent and earning accolades throughout his career, Lawson achieved a different level of wealth and fame than some of his peers. Collectors such as John Quinn, Duncan Phillips, Albert C. Barnes, and Ferdinand Howald admired his work, and Lawson's paintings can be found in many North American art museums. Notably, William Merritt Chase considered him America's greatest landscape painter and Duncan Phillips referred to him as a "great romanticist."
Although Ernest Lawson's work is relatively less known today compared with his contemporaries, his paintings offer a valuable glimpse into the fading pastoral landscapes of Manhattan. His artistic contributions, particularly his skill in depicting landscapes, were highly regarded by renowned art figures. Lawson's dedication to capturing the essence of the natural world, his focus on solid forms, and his ability to evoke emotions through his art make his paintings a cherished part of North American art history.
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