Think that you may own a painting by David Johnson? We authenticate, appraise, research and issue certificates of authenticity (COA) and provide consultations for all paintings by David Johnson.
View from Near Fort Montgomery
David Johnson was a member of the second generation of Hudson River School painters. He was born in New York City. He claimed to have been self-taught, however, there is proof that he studied for two years at the antique school of the National Academy of Design. Johnson also studied briefly with the Hudson River artist Jasper Francis Cropsey.
View from the Hudson River from Palisades, 1871
Along with John Frederick Kensett and John William Casilear, he was best known for the development of Luminism. By 1850, Johnson was exhibiting regularly at the National Academy of Design in New York, where he became an associate in 1860. He exhibited extensively in other major American art centers, including Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. He died in Walden, New York in 1908.
Catnip Island Near Greenwich Village, 1878
Johnson experimented with a variety of French, British and American styles to perfect his landscape paintings. His style would also often change to accommodate commercial tastes. During the 1870s, Americans were buying and collecting paintings from Barbizon school artists, so, during this time, Johnson would often emulate the style of Barbizon artists to meet the demand.
Genesee River
Today his work is housed in public and private collections in Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and New York, and perhaps in your own home. Still wondering about a painting in your family collection? Contact us...it could be by David Johnson.
