Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 19

Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972
"Central Park Nocturne" Impressionist Oil Painting Figures in Central Park NYC

Mid-20th Century

About the Item

A stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City scenes. Here we find a Central Park pathway at night and the Manhattan buildings depicted in the far background with pops of colors shinning through the lights and magic of the city. The artist was truly a master of capturing New York in all of its glory throughout the seasons. This piece is executed whimsically, yet dramatically evoking an emotion of wonder and beauty. This piece is signed lower right by the artist and stamped on the back, it comes housed in a beautiful French giltwood frame with linen liner and hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 6 x 8 inches Frame measures 15 x 17 inches Johann Berthelsen was born in Copenhagen in 1883, the 7th of seven children, to Conrad and Dorothea Karen Berthelsen. His parents were involved in artistic and professional circles. In 1890, his mother brought the children to America, settling in Manistee, Michigan, with her sister's family. They would eventually move to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a city on the shore of Lake Michigan. As a teenager, Johann was actively involved in choirs and singing groups. And he always loved to draw and paint, and while he was too impatient to take well to schoolwork, and never went beyond the 5th grade. Although he worked in several trades, Johann's mind and heart were always with the arts. As his voice matured, he also always wanted to be an actor, and at the age of 18 moved to Chicago where he reconnected with an old friend who was studying voice at the Chicago Musical College. He was awarded the school's Gold Medal on two occasions, and after graduation, he earned a job as the lead baritone with the newly formed Standard Opera Company which was owned by the Schuberts. For the next five years, Johann Berthelsen enjoyed a rich and varied career, touring the U.S. and Canada in operas, concerts, Gilbert & Sullivan, and operettas. Despite considerable success, the grueling pace of life on the road was difficult, and in 1910 he joined the voice faculty at Chicago Musical College. So he eventually had more time to pursue other personal interests, especially painting. He became friends with the artist, Svend Svendsen, a noted landscape painter whose snow scenes especially intrigued Berthelsen, which became a major influence in his choice of mood and treatment of light and shadow. In 1913, at the age of 30, he became the youngest-ever head of the voice department at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. In Indianapolis, he began a friendship with the painter, Wayman Adams. A native of Muncie, Indiana, Adams had studied with William Merritt Chase and Robert Henri in Spain and Italy and had already established a reputation as a portraitist. Adams and Berthelsen were to remain best friends for the remainder of their lives. Adams would paint many significant portraits of Berthelsen including a life-sized image of his friend preparing to go on stage. In 1920, seeking to advance their careers, Berthelsen and Adams moved to New York, where both achieved rapid success. From 1920 through the late '50s, Wayman Adams painted some of his best-known works. Johann Berthelsen established a private school of singing instruction at the Rodin Studios and attracted a distinguished following, but in 1929, the heady prosperity of the Roaring '20s dissolved in the Stock Market crash, and the arts were among the hardest hit sectors. With many Broadway theaters shuttered and the Metropolitan Opera cutting salaries, Johann's pupils disappeared. With the little money left, he purchased art supplies and canvases and began to refine his technique in oil painting. He painted quickly and prolifically, bringing his work to some of the leading galleries. Of the many subjects he painted, the one that he would become most identified with was the city itself. The New York snow scenes burst with movement; cars, trucks, taxis, and people seem to rejoice in the snow that turns the city into a wonderland. Though he was exclusively self-taught he owned his craft and technique. As his paintings become more popular, his reputation increased. By 1940, his reputation had grown to the point where he was asked to join The Lecture Bureau of the Columbia Broadcasting System. In 1942 the family moved to rural New Milford, Connecticut, where Berthelsen painted many views of the surroundings. With the end of the Second World War, the Depression finally ceased and in the first blush of post-war prosperity, the public again had the time and money to devote to the arts. As more prominent personalities began to collect his work, in 1950 the family moved back to New York City, in part because of the high demand for his work and easy access to galleries. He exhibited his work at the Barbizon-Plaza Galleries, the Allan Rich Gallery, and the Jean Bohne Gallery, among others. The 1960s proved to be an especially satisfying time for Johann and his family since the financial pressures lessened and his paintings started commanding better prices. In 1971 he was hit by a car, which led to a decline in health and ultimately his death the following year 1972. PROVENANCE: Estate of a Private collection Scarsdale, New York; Private Collection Manhattan, New York; Lilac Gallery Collection. The piece will be stamped from Lilac Gallery on its verso.
  • Creator:
    Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972 (1883 - 1972, American)
  • Creation Year:
    Mid-20th Century
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15 in (38.1 cm)Width: 17 in (43.18 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
  • Medium:
    Canvas,Oil,Board
  • Movement & Style:
    American Impressionist
  • Period:
    Mid-20th Century
  • Condition:
    With very light wear from age, otherwise, this painting and its frame are in very good to excellent condition for the time period.
  • Gallery Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 0031241stDibs: LU9826206112
More From This SellerView All
You May Also Like
  • Early 20th Century Figurative -- The Paper Boy and His Comics
    By Louise Miller Clark
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Wonderful 1940s figurative of paper boy reading the comics by Louise Miller Clark (American, 20th Century). Signed "Louise Miller" lower right. Unframed. Im...
    Category

    1940s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Cardboard, Canvas, Oil

    Early 20th Century Figurative -- The Paper Boy and His Comics

    Louise Miller Clark
    Early 20th Century Figurative -- The Paper Boy and His Comics, 1939

  • Mid Century Figurative Landscape with Red Barn & Yellow Tree
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Charming mid century figurative landscape of a man walking along a pathway to a red barn with multi-colored trees along side by M. House. Signed "M. House" lower left. Presented in a...
    Category

    1960s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

    Mid Century Figurative Landscape with Red Barn & Yellow Tree

    M. House
    Mid Century Figurative Landscape with Red Barn & Yellow Tree, 1960

  • Wells Fargo Express, Gold Country -- Columbia, California
    By Cecil F. Chamberlin
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Charming oil painting of the Wells Fargo Express Office building in the gold country town of Columbia State Historic Park in Columbia, California by Cecil ...
    Category

    1950s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil, Illustration Board

    Wells Fargo Express, Gold Country -- Columbia, California

    Cecil F. Chamberlin
    Wells Fargo Express, Gold Country -- Columbia, California , 1950

  • Rota, Spanish Landscape -- Pobre Casa Cadiz
    By John Sackas
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Wonderful Spanish landscape of a humble farm in Rota, Cadiz, Spain with horses, a cow with two herons, one of which is on cow's back by San Francisco artist John Sackas (American, 1910-2004), circa 1950s. Signed lower Left "Sackas" and verso Rota Farm House Cadiz" "John Sackas" . Verso has location, attribution and full artist's biography. Presented in gilt-toned carved wood frame. Image size: 14"H x 18"W. Born in New Jersey on May 22, 1910. John Sackas studied at the San Francisco Art Institute (1934), Chouinard Art School in Los Angeles, Corcoran Gallery of Art, and California School of Fine Arts, Jerry...
    Category

    1950s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Oil, Canvas, Illustration Board

    Rota, Spanish Landscape -- Pobre Casa Cadiz

    John Sackas
    Rota, Spanish Landscape -- Pobre Casa Cadiz, Circa 1950s

  • Seascape with Flock of Ducks
    Located in Soquel, CA
    Tranquil seascape with a large flock of migrating Redhead ducks in flight by California artist Dan Findlay (American, 20th Century). Signed "Dan Findlay" lower right. Presented in a ...
    Category

    1970s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

    Materials

    Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

    Seascape with Flock of Ducks

    Dan Findlay
    Seascape with Flock of Ducks , c.1975

  • Afternoon Stroll, American Impressionist, Figure on Forest Path, Landscape
    Located in Wiscasset, ME
    Juliet M. White was born in Philadelphia in 1880. She studied at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, which became the largest art school for women in the United States. Its ...
    Category

    20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

    Materials

    Board, Oil, Canvas

    Afternoon Stroll, American Impressionist, Figure on Forest Path, Landscape

    Juliet M. White
    Afternoon Stroll, American Impressionist, Figure on Forest Path, Landscape

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

Central America Mid Century
1960s Nyc
Old Master Paintings War
Musical Figures
Mid Century Art Nyc
Spanish School Figures
Central Park S
Native American War Art
Copenhagen Oil Painting
Oil Paintings Of Central Park
Manhattan Impressionist
Vintage Standard Oil
Retro Central Park
Landscape Painting Indiana
Oil Painting With Jewels
Retro Board Examples
Impressionist Portrait Children
American Lake Scene Oil
View All Popular Landscape Paintings Searches