46

JOHN WILLIAMSON

American, 1826-1885

"Passing Shower, Upper Valley of the Connecticut River", 1870

oil on canvas
signed lower left "J. Williamson. 1870. N.Y", signed, titled, and dated on the reverse "J Williamson / N.Y. 1870"
27 x 40 in. (68.6 x 101.6 cm.), Frame: 37 3/4 x 50 3/4 x 5 in. (95.9 x 128.9 x 12.7 cm.)

  • Provenance: Private Collection, New York
  • Notes: Born in Glasgow, Scotland, John Williamson moved to Brooklyn with his family when he was a small child. He eventually became an important second-generation painter in the tradition of the Hudson River School. Williamson's carefully rendered views of the Hudson River Valley and Connecticut landscapes were much admired during his lifetime. He f irst exhibited at New York's National Academy of Design in 1859, and, in 1861, he was elected an associate of the Academy. Williamson is best known for his panoramic landscapes of Lake George, the Adirondacks, the Catskill Mountains, and his magnificent paintings of the Hudson River Valley. The present lot is a view from the Connecticut River Valley. This peaceful bucolic landscape is interrupted by a passing storm. The otherwise bright blue and clear sky indicate only a momentary disruption as is common in the New England area. In the distance, the meandering river is visible in the valley among farmhouses, trees, barns, and fields.
    Williamson's paintings can be found in such public collections as the Brooklyn Museum, Maier Museum of Art, Randolph College, Lynchburg, Virginia, and the Hudson River Museum, Yonkers, New York.
  • Condition: in very good overall conditoin; unlined canvas; a few very minor areas of restoration visible under UV

    CONDITION REPORTS FOR THE AUCTION ARE AVAILABLE BY REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A CONDITION REPORT ON THIS LOT. THE ABSENCE OF A CONDITION REPORT OR THE ABSENCE OF A REFERENCE TO DAMAGE DOES NOT IMPLY THAT THE LOT IS IN GOOD CONDITION OR FREE FROM RESTORATION OR REPAIR.

    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. 
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October 30, 2025 6:00 PM EDT
Milford, CT, US

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