Paul Cornoyer Art

Paul Cornoyer, born in 1864 in St. Louis, Missouri, was an American Impressionist artist. Initially studying at the St. Louis School of Fine Arts under Halsey C. Ives, he began his artistic journey painting in a style reminiscent of the Barbizon School. His first exhibition took place in 1887, followed by further studies in Paris at the Académie Julian under notable instructors such as Jules Lefebre, Louis Blanc, and Benjamin Constant. Inspired by French Impressionism during his travels to Paris, London, and Venice, Cornoyer embraced a more fluid and tonal style, particularly evident in his landscapes and cityscapes. Returning to St. Louis in 1894, he painted a mural at the Planters Hotel, depicting the city's birth. Over the next six years, little is known about his work except for the creation of a significant triptych titled "A View of St. Louis," which became iconic for the city. Encouraged by the artist William Merritt Chase, Cornoyer moved to New York City in 1899, where he gained recognition for his urban cityscapes, particularly scenes after rainfall. Capturing the essence of city life with vivid depictions of streets, carriages, and towering buildings, Cornoyer's work became synonymous with New York's urban landscape. He also taught at the Mechanics Institute and mingled with prominent artists such as Childe Hassam and J. Alden Weir, expanding his artistic circle to include New England art schools. In 1917, Cornoyer relocated permanently to Massachusetts, establishing his studio in East Gloucester. He played a pivotal role in founding the Gloucester Art...

Signed and dated lower left: PAUL CORNOYER / 1912

Paul Cornoyer “Central Park Autumn” c. 1910 Oil on Canvas Framed Size: approx 29 x 35 inches Canvas Size: approx 22 x 26.5 inches Provenance: The Artist to Private Collection, St. Louis thence by Descent Conservation report: Excellent condition. On original canvas, not relined. No in-painting. Paul Cornoyer was born in 1864 in St. Louis, Missouri. He studied there at the School of Fine Arts in 1881. His first works were in a Barbizon mode, and his first exhibit was in 1887. In 1889, he went to Paris for further training, studying at the Academie Julien, and returned to St. Louis in 1894. By the early 1890s, his work was more lyrical and Tonal, and he applied this style to subjects such as cityscapes and landscapes. In 1894, he painted a mural depicting the birth of St. Louis for the Planters Hotel in that city. His activities during the next six years were not particularly profitable, however, and the whereabouts of his St. Louis paintings are scarcely known. One exception is the triptych, A View of Saint Louis, with its strong urban realism. It shows the Eads Bridge...