Hermann Herzog (American/German, 1832-1932). Two Cubs and Their Mother by a Waterfall, 1867. Oil on canvas. 36-1/4 x 48-...

Description

Hermann Herzog (American/German, 1832-1932)
Two Cubs and Their Mother by a Waterfall, 1867
Oil on canvas
36-1/4 x 48-1/4 inches (92.1 x 122.6 cm)
Dated and inscribed indistinctly lower right: 18 [...] 67
Inscribed on the stretcher: #1278 / 2057

Property from the Collection of Dr. G. William Whitehurst

PROVENANCE:
Newman Galleries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
Dr. G. William Whitehurst.

Former Congressman George William Whitehurst began his distinguished career as an academic in the 1950s at the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, now Old Dominion University, where he served as Dean of Students from 1963 to 1968. Initially without political ambitions, Whitehurst was persuaded to run for office and was elected to the United States Congress in 1968, representing Virginia for nine terms until his retirement in 1987. He then returned to Old Dominion University as a lecturer, continuing until his final retirement at the remarkable age of 95. Whitehurst is also a noted writer whose published works offer insightful reflections on his congressional experiences, particularly the Watergate era, in addition to contributions as a journalist and media analyst.

Whitehurst also cultivated a lifelong passion for art collecting, assembling an impressive array of paintings during his extensive travels through Europe and North America. His refined taste favored the works of Hermann Herzog. Whitehurst's son fondly recalls his father's affinity for bears, animals he considered emblematic of his spirit, making Herzog's Two Cubs and Their Mother by a Waterfall a particularly treasured piece.

Born in Germany in 1832, Hermann Ottomar Herzog occupies a significant place in 19th-century American landscape painting, renowned for fusing rigorous European academic traditions with evocative portrayals of North America's wilderness. Educated at the esteemed Düsseldorf Academy, Herzog mastered meticulous realism, refined atmospheric effects, and harmonious composition. His early career flourished with prestigious commissions from patrons like Queen Victoria and Grand Duke Alexander of Russia, earning him international acclaim.

In 1871, Herzog immigrated to the United States, settling in Philadelphia with his family. This relocation allowed him to engage directly with the diverse landscapes of North America-from the rugged shores of New England to the majestic vistas of the American West and Mexico. Herzog's regular exhibitions at institutions such as the National Academy of Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts affirmed his successful integration into American art.

Two Cubs and Their Mother by a Waterfall exemplifies Herzog's integration of refined European technique with distinctly American subject matter. Set within a softly illuminated, misty forest, the painting depicts playful bear cubs near a tranquil stream, closely watched by their attentive mother from a rocky vantage point. Herzog's nuanced handling of light and shadow captures the gentle tranquility of an overcast day, demonstrating his meticulous observation of wildlife and atmospheric realism.

Though often associated with the Hudson River School, Herzog distinguished himself from contemporaries like Albert Bierstadt by favoring understated realism over dramatic spectacle. Herzog's paintings invite introspection through subtle portrayals of nature's quieter moments, as poignantly illustrated in this depiction of the bear family.

Herzog's enduring legacy is preserved in esteemed collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, where his paintings continue to reflect a harmonious dialogue between European tradition and American natural grandeur.


More information about Herzog, Hermann. See also: Herman Herzog, Hermann Ottomar Herzog Artist.

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