Paul Turner Sargent

In The Smoky Mountains

C1910

This original 1924 oil painting by acclaimed Colorado modernist John E. Thompson captures the architectural grandeur of High Bridge, New York City’s oldest standing bridge, as it spans the Harlem River. A powerful blend of realism and early modernist style, the composition highlights the bridge’s elegant arches and structural detail, all rendered in richly textured oil on canvas. Thompson’s masterful brushwork and use of color breathe life into the urban landscape, creating a dynamic visual tribute to one of NYC’s most iconic 19th-century engineering feats. The painting is signed and dated in the lower right corner, adding historical authenticity and collector appeal. It is housed in a custom vintage frame, complementing the period and enhancing its timeless aesthetic. This rare depiction of early 20th-century New York City is an important work for collectors of vintage American art, urban landscapes, and historical landmarks. It bridges two artistic worlds—urban realism and the advent of modernism—making it a standout piece in any serious collection. About the Artist: John E. Thompson – Pioneer of Colorado Modernism John Edward Thompson (1876–1945) is widely regarded as the "Dean of Colorado Artists", known for his pivotal role in introducing European modernist techniques to the American West. Born in Buffalo, Thompson studied at the Art Students League of Buffalo and later in New York City, before immersing himself in Europe’s avant-garde movements, particularly influenced by Paul Cézanne. In 1914, Thompson settled in Denver, where he would become a transformative force in the local art scene. His teachings and leadership helped lay the foundation for Colorado’s modern art movement, and he later served as a faculty member at both the University of Denver and the Santa Fe Art School, alongside contemporaries like Andrew Dasburg, B.J.O. Nordfeldt, and Walter Ufer. Thompson also mentored key figures such as Józef Bakoś and Walter Mruk, who would go on to co-found Los Cinco Pintores...

Gray Umbrella is an example of the bright colors that Beckner uses in his paintings. The Gray Umbrella series was painted in Dana Point California Jim Beckner just finished a series of beach paintings. All of them can be seen below and available. Framing will be complete be December or cam be shipped without a frame. Denver-based artist Jim Beckner paints like a jazz musician. The blues bop, the oranges swing, and the yellows vibrate. Drawn to the beat of the city, the artist creates expressionistic urban landscapes that show his unabashed love of color. More than anything, his paintings dance with their own energy, and an urban rhythm emanates from his canvases. Beckner was born and raised in Lakewood, CO, a suburb of Denver. Art played an integral role in the family. “My dad was—and still is—a watercolor artist,” he explains. “He does a lot of Colorado landscapes, very detailed, specific, realistic artwork.” Beckner remembers drawing and coloring at every opportunity when he was a child. “Both of my parents recognized that it was something I enjoyed,” he recalls. “I often drew to entertain those around me.” Occasionally, the Beckner family would drive into downtown Denver to eat out at a restaurant. “I always thought the city was an exciting place,” notes the artist. “It had a certain edginess about it.” Those early excursions, and the urban sensibility they fostered in the impressionable youth, would have a profound effect on his burgeoning talent. Encouraged by his parents, Beckner took art classes in junior high school. “I began to realize that I had some skill at drawing,” he says, “that I could see something and then re-create it.” In high school his art teacher was artist Ray Knaub...