Hidden Gems highlights rarely seen oil paintings by Jasper Cropsey. Many of the works have not been on public view since the 19th century. One painting, Aladdin, was not known to exist until a few years ago when it was discovered at a flea market near Charlotte, NC.

As the curator of the exhibition, I took care to include paintings created during all periods of Cropsey’s career. There are several Italian scenes done when Cropsey was in Rome when he was in his mid-twenties and still developing as a professional artist. The 1850’s and 1860’s were the prime years of the Hudson River School. In that period Cropsey painted many of his most well known works, including views of Niagara Falls, the Hudson River Valley, and Greenwood Lake. In addition many English scenes were from this era as the Cropseys resided in London from 1856 until 1863.

The Hudson River School fell out of favor in the mid 1870’s. Cropsey continued to paint landscapes even though they were difficult to sell at that point. He lived and painted in Hastings-on-Hudson from 1885 until his death in 1900. Included in the exhibition are some works done in Hastings including Starucca Viaduct, the Erie RR bridge in Lanesboro, PA, which he painted in 1897 when he was 74 years old.

We are hopeful that Hidden Gems will lend insight into Cropsey’s wonderful paintings and long career. Over the course of his 56 year career, Cropsey completed an astonishing 2,500 oil paintings and about 250 watercolors.

Adelia Rasines
Executive Director
Chairman of Board of Trustees
Autumn, 2023