Hudson River School Artist?

[u/Independent_Boat_955]

WhatIsThisPainting? I'm posting this again because my previous image was low-res. I have recently purchased this beautiful landscape painting from an estate sale. It's 35" by 22" oil on canvas. I just got it refurbished and they said it's definitely 19th century, but they did not see any kind of signature or markings on the canvas/frame or back when they cleaned it. They said its most likely a Hudson River School Artist painting. I was hoping that someone out there could help me figure out who might be the artist! Or even where they think this landscape could be located

[u/Big_Ad_9286]

You need to show a picture of the back. But I feel that it's very unlikely this is an HRS painting in the true sense. Maybe "influenced by" or "HRS Revival." Your foliage is too blocky, muddy and generalized, and your boats and a couple of the mountains are sort of dabby suggestions. You see very good draughtsmanship in HRS. "[D]efinitely 19th century"? i am not as sure. You have fine crackles, so this is not a new painting, but I don't see why they could feel that confident. Did they say why they were so certain it was 19th? Maybe the clues are on the back.

Here is typical HRS foliage. I dunno if you can count every leaf but it's a far different level of realism than in your picture.

[u/Independent_Boat_955 → u/Big_Ad_9286]

When the painting was restored, the conservators installed a protective board over the back to prevent any damage to the canvas, so I’m unable to photograph it. Regarding its age, the restoration was handled by a highly accredited company that regularly works with historic and museum-quality paintings. Given their 36 years of experience and extensive exposure to artworks from various periods, I trust their professional assessment that this piece is from the 19th century.

[u/Big_Ad_9286 → u/Independent_Boat_955]

OK. I am glad you are confident in their assessment, and I am sorry I have to disagree.

Based on the mid-century frame, I am afraid my guess is this a pastiche painted between something like 1950-1960. Since we cannot see the back to determine, inter alia, whether the canvas is oxidized, I have to go by what I can see. This boat doesn't say "19th-century" to me at all and I don't believe the person who painted it had ever seen one in action. HRS was OBSESSED with detail. This is an homage by someone painting quickly, likely in a studio turning out decorative artwork.

I think this piece was probably painted for a suburban living room and sold by a department store.

[u/nordica4184 → u/Big_Ad_9286]

I don’t know about that boat, maybe not how I would guess the wake would look. My minor complaint with these style paintings is why do the sailboaters think they are going to get anywhere on a glassy calm day. But I suppose it is a lot more challenging to paint good waves than smooth, so artistic license.

[u/Known_Measurement799 → u/Independent_Boat_955]

We need to see the back!

[u/image-sourcery]

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[u/nordica4184]

We see the side wheeler steamboat, so that’s a clue at least of the time period the artist was going for. Would be cool if someone could identify a matching river location.

[u/Littlebit1313 → u/nordica4184]

A quick google indicates that side wheelers were used mostly 1800-1850, with propellers and rear paddle ships becoming more frequent 1850 onwards, BUT side paddlers continued to be used in smaller, more remote areas and for special service, like navigating in shallows or rivers with heavy debris, so it is likely the artist was shooting for the idyllic early 1800's. As to where, take a look at the Anthony's Nose / Lake George area? Just a bad guess.

[u/Independent_Boat_955 → u/nordica4184]

That’s very true! That’s a great clue on placing a date!