Ponti Art Gallery is interested in buying and selling works
of art by this artist.
Ernst Lawson Biography
Ernest Lawson was a Canadian-American painter, renowned for his contribution to the Impressionist movement in North America. Born on March 22, 1873, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Lawson's early life was marked by a series of relocations. His family moved to Ontario during his boyhood, and later, his father, a physician, took a job in Kansas City. Lawson joined his family there at the age of 15, where he began his formal art education at the Kansas City Art Institute.
In 1890, Lawson's artistic journey took him to New York City, where he enrolled in the Art Students League. It was here that he came under the tutelage of influential American Impressionist painters John Henry Twachtman and Julian Alden Weir. These teachers had a profound impact on Lawson's style and encouraged him to study in Paris. Heeding their advice, Lawson traveled to France in 1893 and briefly attended the Académie Julian, studying with Jean-Paul Laurens and Benjamin Constant. However, it was the time spent painting en plein air in the French countryside that truly shaped his artistic direction.
During his time in France, Lawson shared a studio with the writer Somerset Maugham, who later used him as the inspiration for a character in his novel "Of Human Bondage." Despite the strong French influence, Lawson was determined to develop his own style, famously stating that "French influence kills if taken in too large a dose." His work during this period began to gain recognition, and upon his return to the United States in 1897, the esteemed artist William Merritt Chase dubbed him "America’s greatest landscape painter."
Settling in Washington Heights, New York City, Lawson found inspiration in the bucolic landscapes and the Hudson River, particularly during winter. His paintings from this period are characterized by a heavy impasto technique and a vibrant palette, capturing the interplay of light and color in nature. Despite his critical success, Lawson's personal life was marked by loneliness and struggles with alcohol.
Lawson's affiliation with The Eight, a group of artists who rebelled against the restrictive exhibition policies of the National Academy of Design, was significant. Though he shared their disdain for the establishment, his work was stylistically distinct from the Social Realists in the group. In 1912-1913, he was a founding member of the National Association of Painters and Sculptors, which organized the 1913 Armory Show, a landmark event in American art history.
Throughout his career, Lawson exhibited his work widely, including at the Canadian Art Club and the National Academy of Design, where he was elected a full member in 1917. His paintings were also purchased by prestigious institutions such as the National Gallery of Canada.
In his later years, Lawson faced financial and health challenges, including chronic arthritis. He taught briefly in Hartford, Connecticut, and moved frequently in search of relief for his condition. In 1939, Lawson's life came to a tragic end when he was found dead on a beach near Miami, Florida, from an apparent drowning, which some speculated to be suicide.
Ernest Lawson's legacy as an artist lies in his unique position between Impressionism and realism. His landscapes and urban scenes capture a world that was rapidly changing, yet they remain timeless in their beauty and emotional resonance. Today, his work is celebrated for its contribution to the American Impressionist movement and is held in high regard by art historians and collectors alike.
Ernst Lawson Quotes and Sales
of Works
Ponti Art Gallery selects and deals with paintings by the
artist. Upon request, we provide free estimates and
evaluations, communicate prices, quotations, and current
market values.
If you are interested in BUYING or SELLING works by the
artist, contact us immediately.
If you wish to sell or receive an evaluation of the
works:
Send us a frontal photo of the painting, one of the back,
and one of the signature. Also, indicate the dimensions of
the work. Inform us about the purchase origin of the work
and any kind of available documentation (purchase
receipts, certificates of authenticity, publications). One
of our operators will respond to you on the same day. We
guarantee maximum confidentiality and extreme
professionalism.
If you wish to purchase works by the painter: Contact us
and let us know your request. We will inform you about the
available works. We also offer the possibility to
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informed at the beginning of each month about the latest
acquisitions of the art gallery.
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