Discovering Carleton E. Watkins

My newly discovered artist today is 19^th century photographer, Carleton E. Watkins. Watkins was born in 1829 in upstate New York.  He eventually moved to California to live in the 1860’s. There he fell in love with the western landscape.

Carleton E. Watkins is most known for his conservatory work of Yosemite Valley in California and his contribution to the establishment of National Parks.  Watkins specialized in landscape photography and often experimented in the early years of photography with new equipment.

According to many accounts, during Watkins’ lifetime he experienced a small amount of success as a photographer.  He lost his studio in the San Francisco earth quake and was poor when he died in 1926.   In recent years a photograph among an album of 51 prints, entitled Photographs of the Columbia River and Oregon, was sold an auction for $100,000.  At that time, it was the most expensive property sold at an auction. 

Willard L. Metcalf - Pioneer

Willard L. Metcalf is another newly discovered artist. Although this artist is not well known, he has been credited with being a pioneer of Impressionism.  He specialized in landscape painting.  Metcalf worked with oils, pastels and watercolors.

Metcalf was born in Lowell, Massachusetts in 1858.  He studied art in Boston and spent a great deal of time working with landscapes.   He studied in France and was influenced by Monet.  While in France, Metcalf learned to paint en plein air. After returning to America, Willard Metcalf he began merging his old with his new influences.  This resulted in what some believe is the most important framework for American Impressionism.

Metcalf’s New England landscapes are considered to be his best work.  Although I admire many of his New England landscapes, my favorite painting by Metcalf is Indian Summer, Vermont.  This oil on canvas was created in 1922 and resides at the Dallas Museum of Art.    I love the brilliant use of color and brushwork.

Willard L. Metcalf’s paintings are often exhibited in galleries. Like many great artist, his work seems to be timeless.

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