Biografie von Jasper Francis CROPSEY (1823-1900)

Birth place: Rossville, NY

Death place: Hastings-on-Hudson, NY

Addresses: Hastings-on-Hudson, NY (1885-on)

Profession: Landscape painter, architect

Studied: About 1836 (at the age of 13) he won a diploma from the Mechanics Institute for a model of a house; this led to his entry into the architectural office of Joseph Trench where he stayed for five years (1837-42); during this time he also studied landscape painting with Edward Maury, NYC; NAD; London, 1847-50, 1857-63; Rome.

Exhibited: NAD, from 1843 (landscapes); Brooklyn AA, 1861-86, 1891; Royal Academy, London; Apollo Association and American Art-Union; PAFA, 1876-88; Maryland Hist. Soc.; Boston Athenaeum; Centennial Expo., Phila., 1876; Boston AC, 1881-86; AIC, 1897, 1900.

Member: ANA, 1844, NA, 1851; AWCS (a founder); Union League Club (a founder); Century Club; Lotos Club; Artists' Aid Society; PAFA; Fellow, Soc. Sc. L. & A., London, England.

Work: Newington-Cropsey Foundation manages the Jasper Francis Cropsey Home and Studio, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY; MMA; NYHS; CGA; NGA; Woodmere Art Mus.. Phila., PA; Peabody Institute, Baltimore, MD; Karolik Collection, BMFA; Shelburne (VT) Mus.; Harvard Univ.

Comments: A central figure in the Hudson River School, he became well known for his brilliantly-colored autumnal landscapes. From 1838-42, he was apprenticed to the architect, Joseph Trench; during this time he made his first landscapes of the Ctaskill Mountains and hills of northern New Jersey. In 1842, he set out on his own, receiving architectural commissions and continuing his landscape painting. By 1844, he was painting full time, and went to Europe in 1847-49. On his return to New York, he began exhibiting more frequently, and his landscapes of the Hudson Valley and the White Mountains attracted much attention. During the 1850s, Cropsey also produced allegorical and imaginary landscapes ó inspired by Thomas Cole ó with the idea that serial painting could most effectively express a complex theme. It was with these convictions that he conceived his large works, The Spirit of War" and "The Spirit of Peace," which were exhibited first in 1851 and were shown again and again in various cities, until 1857. Cropsey visited London again in 1857, remaining until 1863 and forming friendships with John Ruskin and Sir Charles Eastlake. After his return to New York he devoted himself mainly to painting the autumnal scenes for which he is best-known. As an architect, he designed and superintended the Sixth Ave. Elevated stations of NYC. He also designed several private homes.

Sources: G&W; DAB; Cowdrey, "Jasper F. Cropsey, 1823-1900, the Colorist of the Hudson River School"; Cowdrey, NAD; Cowdrey, AA & AAU; Graves; Rutledge, PA; Rutledge, MHS; Swan, BA; Sweet, Hudson River School; Clement and Hutton; CAB; obit., N.Y. Times, June 24, 1900. More recently, see Talbot; Foshay; and Baigell; WW98; Campbell, New Hampshire Scenery, 42-45, extensive list of works; Muller, Paintings and Drawings at the Shelburne Museum,48 (w/repro.); 300 Years of American Art, vol. 1, 202; for an essay on his art materials, see A. Katlan American Artists Materials, Vol. II (Madison, CT: Sound View Press, p.503-13); Falk, Exh. Record Series.

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