George Lawrence Nelson (1887 - 1978)
ENGLISH NAME: Portrait of a woman on a bench
MEDIUM: Oil on board
SIGNATURE: Unsigned
SIZE: 15" H x 12" W (38.1 x 30.5 cm)
FRAME SIZE: 21" H x 17.25" W x 2.5" D
Blacklight: No evidence of restoration.
IMAGES are ACTUAL WORK
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George Laurence Nelson (1887-1978) was an American Impressionist painter renowned for his landscapes, portraits, and still life’s. He was born in New Rochelle, New York and spent most of his career based in Kent, Connecticut.
Nelson came from an artistic family - his mother Alice Hirschberg was considered one of America's greatest female artists of her time, skilled in painting, etching, and fashion design. He received early training from acclaimed painters James Whistler and John Singer Sargent, who taught him techniques in oil, watercolor, and lithography.
Nelson mastered various mediums including oil, watercolor, and lithography. He was particularly admired for his vibrant Impressionist landscapes and delicate floral still lifes. His portraits were also highly regarded, with some early works being mistaken for those of Sargent.
During his prolific career spanning over six decades, Nelson received numerous accolades including gold medals and international recognition. He was considered one of the ten greatest portrait painters and lithographers in American art history. After his death in 1978, his reputation waned but efforts have been made by the Kent Historical Society to restore his legacy by donating selected works to major museums.
Kent Historical:
https://kenthistoricalsociety.org/george-laurence-nelson/
As an American Impressionist painter known for his vibrant landscapes, delicate floral still lifes, and elegant portraits. While he produced many acclaimed works during his prolific career spanning over six decades, some of his most famous paintings include:
- "After Seymour Thomas" - This landscape painting sold for a record $14,400 at Nadeau's auction in 2016, the highest price achieved for a Nelson work at auction.
- Portraits - Nelson was highly regarded for his portrait work, with some early pieces being mistaken for those of John Singer Sargent, who was one of his teachers. His 1917 "Portrait of a Young Girl" and 1929 "Three-Quarter Length Portrait of a Woman" are among his most notable portraits.
- Floral Still Lifes - Nelson's delicate renderings of flowers were much admired, capturing the vibrancy and subtle nuances of light on petals with his Impressionist style.
- Landscapes - As a master of the Impressionist landscape genre, Nelson's depictions of the Connecticut countryside around his home in Kent were particularly celebrated, rendering the changing seasons with his brilliant use of color.
While not all of his specific works are widely known today, Nelson was considered one of the greatest American portrait painters and lithographers of his time, receiving numerous accolades during his six-decade career.