Painters, sculptors, print makers and many more make up the history of art in the United States. From traditional oil paintings to modern masterpieces, this article will explore the most famous American visual artists and where to see their work today.
Above: detail from Augustus Saint-Gaudens by Kenyon Cox, 1908
Edward Hopper (1882-1967)
From Nyack, New York, Hopper’s most famous work reflects the everyday life of the city. In 1942 he composed Nighthawks, depicting customers in an all-night diner. The scene is frequently referenced in pop culture and has served as inspiration for many artists and film makers. Hopper’s work invites narrative and nostalgia, as well as exemplifying a quiet moment in modernity as worthy of artistic expression.
Edward Hopper’s work now sells for record breaking figures. In 2018, his 1929 work Chop Suey was sold for 91.9 million US dollars.
George Inness (1825-1894)
Born in Newburgh, New York, George Inness was an American landscape painter – known for his dramatic sunset scenes. As part of the tonalist movement, his work often has a focus on natural forms of light and shadow, with much of the canvas influenced by the colours of the evening or morning sky.
Today, you can find collections of his work at the Montclair Art Museum in New Jersey, as well as the Yale University Art Gallery and Brooklyn Museum. You will also find examples in the Art Institute of Chicago and The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.
Above: detail from Delaware Water Gap by George Inness, 1861
Jackson Pollock (1912-1956)
One of the best known abstract expressionist artists, Pollock produced some of the most valuable art in the world. Born in Cody, Wyoming, he composed many iconic contemporary paintings before dying in a car crash aged 44. His most famous pieces are from his “drip period” 1947 to 1950, these instantly recognizable examples were purely abstract and composed on the floor rather than an easel.
Famously, Pollock’s No. 5 1948 became the world’s most expensive painting in 2006. It was sold for $140 million US dollars, a record breaking amount at the time. In 2013, his work formed part of a $495 million total sale at a Christie’s contemporary auction.
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925)
Although his family was from Gloucester, Massachusetts, John Singer Sargent’s parents spent much of their life travelling Europe. The artist was born in 1856 whilst his parents were in Florence, Italy. He completed his artistic training in Paris and London, giving his work an impressionist influence. When Sargent spent time in the United States, he was commissioned to paint many influential members of society in New York and Boston.
John Singer Sargent’s work is just as well travelled as the artist himself, collections can be found across the globe. In the United States, you will find examples of his work in most leading art galleries and museums, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Above: detail from The Fountain at Villa Torlonia by John Singer Sargent, 1907
Benjamin West (1738-1820)
Born in Springfield, Pennsylvania, Benjamin West was an entirely self-taught artist. Starting as a local portrait painter, his talent was soon noticed. He was sponsored by some of the richest patrons in the state to journey through Europe on his Grand Tour, allowing him to learn from the artefacts of ancient Rome and beyond.
This experience gave a fashionable neoclassical flair to his compositions and having settled in London, West produced many large scale military artworks and classically inspired scenes. In 1772, King George III appointed him historical painter to the crown. He later became the second president of the Royal Academy.
Paintings by Benjamin West are now exhibited all over the world, with major collections being found in London. However, examples are also on display in The National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Above: detail from Portrait of the Drummond Family by Benjamin West, 1776
Georgia O’Keeffe (1887-1986)
O’Keeffe is one of the best known modernists, her floral compositions are easily recognizable as 20th century masterpieces. Born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Georgia O’Keeffe began to experiment with abstract works in the late 1910s and became established as an artist whilst teaching at various art schools.
In the 1920s, the first of O’Keeffe’s flower paintings were composed and these came to define much of her career and style. Over the course of her life, she composed over 200 flower paintings. Although the analysis of these artworks is often sexualised, she strongly commented that “When people read erotic symbols into my paintings, they’re really talking about their own affairs.” And completely dismissed this reading of her work by critics and academics.
Winslow Homer (1836-1910)
Known for his coastal landscapes and illustrations, Winslow Homer worked in oil paint as well as watercolors. Although he was born in Boston, Massachusetts, his work is reflective of the French impressionists, particularly the Barbizon school. His 1870s masterpiece Breezing Up (A Fair Wind) is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C.
In 1883, Winslow Homer moved to Maine where he painted many dramatic seascapes. In this period, Homer was called “a hermit with a brush” as he seldom socialized and focused entirely on his craft. Today, his Prouts Neck studio is a National Landmark and owned by the Portland Museum of Art.
Above: detail from The Herring Net by Winslow Homer, 1885
Norman Rockwell (1894-1978)
His cartoon-like compositions have earned Rockwell a place in American society, as an artist who reflected the mid 20th century, domestic world around him. Originally an illustrator, his work for The Saturday Evening Post makes up some of his best known pieces.
Norman Rockwell was born in New York City and attended art school, quickly leading to a job as an illustrator for Boys Life Magazine. His work as an artist for various publications resulted in many sentimental, humourous and politically motivated pieces, including his Four Freedoms series inspired by a speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. Today you will find much of his work in the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts.
James McNeill Whistler (1834-1903)
Whistler’s popular compositions reflected an American take on the Pre-Raphaelite movement. The Massachusetts-born artist famously supported the idea of “art for art’s sake” and freely produced paintings without the overly decorative fashion of Victorian society. His masterpiece Whistler’s Mother is one of the most well known artworks in the world, though did not impress viewers at the time due to its pure simplicity.
His dark and near-abstract piece Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket was the subject of a famous trial in 1877 when Whistler sued the art critic John Ruskin for the slander of his work. Many artists refused to support him in the case, in fear of their own reputations being damaged. However, Whistler did win, albeit with a very small payout for libel.
Above: detail from The Artist in His Studio by James McNeill Whistler, 1865-66
End of Part One
There are hundreds of famous artists from the United States. Come back soon to read more about the greatest American painters, sculptors and illustrators in our next edition of this series.
Who should we feature in Part Two?
If you have any questions about art restoration and conservation, please do not hesitate to get in touch. E-mail us via info@fineart-restoration.com or fill out the form below.
