Landscapes were a popular subject matter for American artists in the nineteenth century, many of whom sought to communicate national pride by showcasing the country’s vast terrain. The theme was likewise popular amongst art patrons and collectors in the time period, who did not limit their acquisitions to solely American art but also sought out romantic landscapes from overseas to adorn their homes and public buildings.
While work by extremely popular landscape artists, such as Thomas Cole, was outside of the average American’s budget, lesser-known artists were able to sell a great number of landscape paintings at more affordable prices to the growing middle class. This was true in many European countries as well, including England.
This landscape by British artist Sidney Yates Johnson was created around 1903-04. Born in Tottenham, Middlesex, Johnson traveled to paint breathtaking locations around England and beyond. His work depicts places as far as the Scottish Highlands and Wales, as well as Derbyshire, Cornwall, and Surrey.[1] They range from mountain scenes to coastal settings, and they were sometimes sold in pairs.
The plethora of extant paintings by Johnson suggests a long and successful career. While his market was likely focused on the middle class and tourists, Johnson also exhibited his work extensively.[2] His pieces are marked by the trademark “sgraffito” signature seen in the lower right corner of this painting - that is, he signed and dated his work by scratching into the paint before it dried.
This landscape, now part of the Capitol’s collection, exemplifies artwork that could have hung in the office or home of an art-minded Michigan legislator or employee around the turn of the twentieth century.
[1] “Johnson,Sidney Yates (1861-after 1936),” Brave Fine Art, bravefineart.com/blogs/artist-directory.
[2] “Sidney Yates Johnson Biography,” Ask Art, askart.com.
