Lot 1075
Ralph Albert Blakelock (American, 1847-1919), Landscape
Lot Details & Additional Photographs
Board 5 1/2 x 8 7/8 in.
From the Collection of Ralph Albert Blakelock's Great-Granddaughter
Ralph Albert Blakelock (1847–1919) was an American painter celebrated for his poetic, atmospheric landscapes and evocative scenes inspired by the American West. Largely self-taught, he briefly attended the Free Academy of New York before exhibiting at the National Academy of Design beginning in the late 1860s. Between 1869 and 1872, Blakelock traveled extensively throughout the western United States, spending significant time among Native American communities; sketches and memories from these journeys became enduring sources for his imaginative and highly personal imagery. He married Cora Rebecca Bailey in 1877 and continued to exhibit widely, earning awards from both the National Academy of Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.
Despite growing artistic recognition, Blakelock struggled with severe mental illness and persistent financial hardship while supporting his large family. Following a series of mental breakdowns, he was institutionalized for much of the period between 1899 and 1919. During these years, his reputation increased dramatically, though the popularity of his work also led to widespread forgery. In 1916, while still hospitalized, he was elected an Academician of the National Academy of Design. After a brief period of improved health in the Adirondacks, Blakelock died in 1919, leaving behind a body of work now regarded as one of the most distinctive achievements in American Tonalist painting.
Some edge wear; surface chip to lower left corner of board; allover craquelure.
