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Kensington Gate, Hyde Park, South London, W., 8 May 1857. 12mo (7” x 4.25”). 3 pp. of manuscript. Docketed on page 4.

A letter from Hudson River school painter Jasper F. Cropsey to Crystal Palace exhibition manager Henry Mogford, regarding the exhibition of one of his autumn scene canvases.

This letter reads in full: “Yesterday my picture, An American Autumn scene on the Susquehannah River left for the Crystal Palace exhibition. I trust it has been safely received. I wrote to you a few days ago, mentioning that I would send it, its title &c. and that I would send it to your address. This note I presume you have received. I would further mention that the picture is for sale price [of] 200 guineas with frame. For your personal information, let me mention that the large tree to the right is a river willow, common upon the banks of our rivers the slender one in the center of the picture, yellow in colour is an elm, with some Virginia creeper hanging from it. The darkest scarlet oak—and maple not yet changed, complete this Island group—up the mountain side are various forest trees, all passing through their changes. The effect is that of one of our bright afternoons, when everything is glowing with sunlight.”

Associated with the second-generation of the Hudson River school, U.S. painter and architect Jasper F. Cropsey (1823–1900) is best remembered for his autumn landscapes of the American Northeast; in Europe he came to be known as “America’s painter of autumn.” In 1842 he set out to establish a career in architecture, and over the next two years designed two churches on Staten Island. While on drawing excursions along the east coast, he met fellow painters Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Cole’s pupil Frederic Church, and George Inness. In 1847, Cropsey lived in Rome, staying in Cole’s former apartment and studio. From 1856 to 1863, he and his family lived in London where his paintings of the American landscape gained popularity. While in London he also exhibited at the Royal Academy and was presented to Queen Victoria. Back in New York in the 1860s, he returned to his architectural practice while continuing to paint. With taste turning to Impressionism, his financial situation faltered and in 1884 he was forced to sell the Gothic Revival mansion he designed for his family, known as Aladdin.

Henry Mogford (1787–1874) was an art dealer, artist, author and antiquarian. An authority on picture restoration, Mogford wrote Hand-book for the Preservation of Pictures (1845). In 1856 he was appointed to manage the fine arts section at the Crystal Palace, through which he came into contact with many leading artists.

REFERENCES: Blumberg, Naomi. Jasper Francis Cropsey at britannica.org; “Henry Mogford,” British picture restorers, 1600-1950 at npg.org.uk

CONDITION: Good, creasing, no losses to the text.

Item #6283

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