George Inness (American, 1825-1894)

In terms of composition, precision of drawing, and the emotive use of color, Inness is considered among the best and most successful landscape painters in America.  His miniature paintings served as correspondence between the artist and his patron, who had financed the artist’s extended trips abroad.

 

Inness’ work was influenced, in turn, by that of the Old Masters, (virtuosity) the Hudson River School, (idealized – or romanticized – realism; mostly painted in a studio) the Barbizon School, (en plein air landscapes of looser brushwork) and finally, by the theology of Emanuel Swedenborg, whose spiritualism found vivid expression in the work of Inness’ maturity. (God’s light being the conduit for the spiritual)

 

Recent Examples at Auction