26

GEORGE GARDNER SYMONS
American, (1863-1930)
Evening in the Berkshires
oil on canvas
signed lower right "Gardner Symons"

oil on canvas
42 x 48 inches

  • Provenance: Property from a distinguished American collection.
  • Notes: A label from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters is on the reverse.

    Framed dimensions: 48 x 54 x 3 inches

    George Gardner Symons is best known for his plein air landscapes that combine Impressionism and Realism. He maintained a primary studio in Brooklyn, New York. He also worked in California, St. Ives and throughout New England. His best paintings are snowy landscapes of the Berkshire mountains often painted en plein air. The present lot, an evening view of a Berkshire village in the snow, is one of Symons' best.

    Symons was born in Chicago in 1861 and named George Gardner Simon. When he returned from his studies in England, concerned about anti-semitism, he changed his last name to Symons. There is little documented about his early life. He first studied art at the Art Institute of Chicago where he met William Wendt, a fellow painter and a life-long friend.

    In 1898, Wendt and Symons painted together in California and traveled to Cornwall, England. While in Europe, Symons visited Paris, Munich, London and St. Ives where he joined the existing artist colony and returned almost every year.

    Shortly after returning from Europe, Wendt and Symons built a studio together in Laguna Beach, California. Throughout his career Symons returned to California regularly primarily painting plein air seascapes when he visited.

    Symons maintained a country home in Colrain, Massachusetts where he painted the landscapes of the Berkshire mountains and the Connecticut and Deerfield Rivers. In 1909, a painting of the Deerfield River titled "Opalescent River" won the Carnegie Prize at the National Academy of Design and was later acquired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art (see lot 24 for another view of this landscape).

    The present work was painted of the Berkshires in the evening, one of Symon's favorite subjects.. His skillful depiction of snow is evident in this canvas where the warm glow from the windows and setting sun create shadows on the heavy layer of snow.

    Symons works are included in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Corcoran Gallery of Art in D.C among numerous other public and private collections.


    Tags: listed artist, oil painting, snow scene, winter landscape, Massachusetts landscape, mountain landscape, Berkshires, American Impressionism
  • Condition: overall very good condition; lined canvas; one small area of restoration in the roof, lower center; a few other very minor scattered areas of restoration mostly to top edge
    Condition Report Note:
    We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Shannon’s is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Frames on all paintings are sold "As Is". Frames may need some conservation. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE. Thank you for your interest in our sale.

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