Sanford Robinson Gifford

A Sketch of Derwentwater

1855

Signed lower right: F.A. SILVA.

Monogrammed lower left: ATBricher

Unknown White Mountain Artist White Mountain Landscape, 19th Century Oil on board 5 x 9 1/4 in. Framed: 7 3/4 x 11 3/4 in.

A large scale American Hudson River School Impressionist landscape of a snow scene, most probably Wisconsin, by Leroy Ferdinand Jonas. The painting is signed and dated bottom right and presented in a fine gilt frame. An imposing view of a snowy landscape most probably the artist's native Wisconsin. Jonas has captured the grandeur of the scene with the contrast between the thick lush snow and the rich colours of the foliage and leaves on the trees. His impasto technique is very characteristic of the American Impressionists as is the subject and sense of scale. A really beautiful painting which because of its scale would be a statement piece in any room. LeRoy Jonas was born in the town of Texas, Marathon County, Wisconsin, on April 18, 1897, son of Johann F. and Marie (Borchardt) Jonas. He was educated in Wausau public schools and attended the Chicago Art Institute, where he studied under John Norton, noted for his murals, Leopold Seifert, noted for his portraits, and William Wilmovsky, a landscape artist. He worked as a commercial artist and Conservator of Fine Arts there. Upon graduating, he painted for a while in Door County, Wisconsin and was then awarded a scholarship to study under Leon Lundmark...