An artwork on Galleree from The Art Institute of Chicago.
About the artwork
Blasted TreeJasper Francis Cropsey
American, 1823–1900
1850
United States
43.2 × 35.6 cm (17 × 14 in.)
Oil on canvas
Gift of Jamee J. and Marshall Field
['landscapes']
['painting', 'american arts']
['oil paint (paint)', 'organic material']
Like his fellow Hudson River School landscapists, Jasper Cropsey sketched in nature and then combined motifs he had observed into his compositions in his New York studio. In the late 1840s and early 1850s he traveled frequently to the Catskills, where he produced this oil sketch. Here, the gnarled trunk and branches of the weather-beaten tree offered the artist interesting variations of color, tone, and line. Cropsey often included such old trees in his paintings in emulation of Thomas Cole, whom he greatly admired. In Cropsey’s work, as in that of Cole, the subject introduces a sense of time and history into the scene, as well as conveying the sublime power of nature.
| attributed to Art Institute of Chicago under CC-By license
In the quiet embrace of nature, where the whispers of the wind intertwine with the rustling leaves, Jasper Cropsey found his muse. Like his contemporaries in the Hudson River School, he ventured into the wild, sketchbook in hand, capturing the very essence of the landscapes that stirred his soul. The late 1840s and early 1850s saw him gravitating often towards the majestic Catskills, a place where every bend of the road unveiled a new vista, a fresh inspiration.
On one particular day, as the sun cast golden hues across the rugged terrain, Cropsey set his sights on a weather-beaten tree, its gnarled trunk and crooked branches standing defiantly against the ravages of time. Each twist and turn, each rugged contour, beckoned him to explore the rich tapestry of colors and tones that nature had woven into its form. With careful strokes, he captured the tree's character — a testament to the passage of time and the enduring spirit of the natural world.
Cropsey, deeply inspired by the revered Thomas Cole, often honored his idol by incorporating old trees into his artworks. To him, these ancient sentinels were more than mere subjects; they were storytellers. They spoke of history, their bark etched with the seasons of years gone by, and their presence evoked a sublime power that connected viewers to the larger narrative of life.
As he painted in his New York studio, surrounded by the remnants of his excursions, Cropsey breathed life into each stroke, creating an immersive dialogue between the observer and the intricate symphony of nature. In this blend of observation and artistry, Jasper Cropsey not only mirrored the beauty of the Catskills but also etched his own story, inviting those who gaze upon his work to ponder the significance of time, history, and the timeless power that nature holds over us all.
About the artist
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