49

WILLIAM TROST RICHARDS

American, 1833-1905

Mother and Child in an Autumn Landscape, 1876

oil on canvas, panel backed
signed and dated lower left "Wm. T. Richards, 1876"
24 1/4 x 20 1/4 in. (61.6 x 51.4 cm.), Frame: 34 1/2 x 30 1/2 x 4 in. (87.6 x 77.5 x 10.2 cm.)

  • Provenance: Alfred Rutgers Whitney (1835–1909), New York; Frank Whitney, New York, by descent through the Whitney family; Private Collection; Questroyal Fine Art, LLC, New York, New York; Private Collection, New York
  • Notes: William Trost Richards was born in Philadelphia in 1833. He abandoned his formal education at age 13 to work and help support his family. He pursued painting privately, studying under William Stanley Haseltine and Paul Weber in Philadelphia. Wealthy patrons supported his continued study in Europe where he, Hiram Powers, Emanuel Leutze, Frederick Church, John Kensett and Albert Bierstadt had traveled. By the 1850s, Richards was an established landscape artist exhibiting at Knoedler galleries and supported primarily by private commissions from his friend and patron, Asa Whitney.
    His early works reflect the romantic style of the Hudson River School, emphasizing dramatic landscapes and detailed renderings of nature. In 1858, Richards saw an exhibition of English Pre-Raphaelite paintings in Philadelphia. This style of painting, especially the hyperrealistic style and brilliant coloring would influence Richards greatly. He joined the Association for the Advancement of Truth in Art, an American PreRaphaelite group, pursuing the ideal of truth to nature in his paintings. While the movement was short-lived, many agree that Richards' PreRaphaelite landscapes are his finest accomplishment.
    The present example is a masterpiece quality work from this important period in the artist's career. The small figures lend a sense of majestic scale to the landscape, a motif common in Hudson River School paintings. The landscape is incredibly detailed with variations of autumnal colors in the leaves and an atmospheric twilight sky illuminated by a crescent moon.
    As his career progressed, Richards developed a distinctive style characterized by meticulous realism and a focus on light and atmosphere, aligning him with the American Luminist movement. He became particularly renowned for his marine paintings, capturing the subtle nuances of the sea and sky with remarkable accuracy.
    Richards traveled extensively, both in the United States and abroad, f inding inspiration in the landscapes of New England, the British Isles, and Europe. His work was exhibited widely and received critical acclaim during his lifetime. Today, he is recognized as a significant figure in American art, celebrated for his technical skill and his ability to convey the beauty and tranquility of the natural world.
    Richards exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), the National Academy of Design, and the Brooklyn Art Association. His works are represented in many public institutions including the Brooklyn Museum, the Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, The Corcoran Gallery, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Newark Museum among others.
  • Condition: in excellent overall condition; unlined canvas; very minor in-paint apparent under UV along the edges

    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. 
    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. 

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

As a convenience to the Buyer, Shannon's LLC will make a referral for packing and shipping. For a preliminary quote you may contact Jeff Von Flatern at [email protected] or 203-453-8866, Levi Shmulsky at [email protected] or (860) 561-1369, or Kristen Vineyard at Village Express [email protected] or 203-481-7426.

Shipping is at the request, expense, and risk of the Buyer, and Shannon's assumes no responsibility for the items or the timing of delivery. Insurance for in transit items is the responsibility of the buyer.

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

Shannon's

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000