An artwork on Galleree from Minneapolis Institute of Art.
About the artwork
Catskill Mountain House1855
Artist: Jasper Francis Cropsey
American, 1823–1900
Landscape.
29 x 44 in. (73.66 x 111.76 cm) (canvas)
36 x 51 in. (91.44 x 129.54 cm) (outer frame)
Oil on canvas
Painting
United States
19th century
Bequest of Mrs. Lillian Lawhead Rinderer in memory of her brother, William A. Lawhead, and the William Hood Dunwoody Fund
Nestled high atop South Mountain, where the air is crisp and the view stretches endlessly, stands the Catskill Mountain House. This majestic resort hotel, perched at an elevation of 2,200 feet, became a haven for artists and travelers alike. People flocked here, enchanted by the rugged beauty of nature, where every glance offered a new vista, rich in color and texture.
In the summer of 1852, a young artist named Jasper Cropsey stood transfixed before the house, his pencil dancing over paper, capturing its essence. He envisioned not just a structure, but a sanctuary that bridged the gap between civilization and wilderness, between man and nature. It was here, amidst towering trees and sweeping landscapes, that he found inspiration to create his masterpiece.
Three years later, in 1855, Cropsey returned to this beloved site, his heart full of purpose. Commissioned by James Edgar, a businessman from Chicago, he took to his canvas with fervor, translating the charm of the Catskill Mountain House into an artwork that would immortalize its beauty. It was not merely paint on a surface; it was a window into a world where the horizon met the earth in a gentle embrace.
Cropsey was a proud member of the Hudson River School, a collective of artists who ventured through the valleys of the Hudson and the rugged terrain of the Catskills and Adirondacks. Together, they championed the wondrous landscapes of America, celebrating its vastness and the untold stories waiting to be discovered in every shadowy grove and sunlit meadow. They believed that within these untouched landscapes lay the raw potential of a nation, brimming with both beauty and promise.
As the paint dried on Cropsey's final masterpiece, it echoed a sentiment that resonates deeply even today—the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. It was a testament to a time when nature was not just a backdrop, but an essential part of the American identity—a call to adventure, exploration, and reflection.
About the artist
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