For sale is a wonderful landscape study by the highly regarded Connecticut Impressionist Artist Nelson Holbrook White (1932 - . From the prestigious White family of Connecticut artist.

Circa 1950's (or 74??) see pics.

The painting depicts a winter scene in Switzerland, according to the inscription on Reverse.

A lonely tree stands tall in a snow covered open field. Moving to the distant the landscape meets a line of a pine trees along the edge which are themselves dwarfed by the tall mountains of the Swiss Alps in the background.

Done in very thin, wispy, brushstrokes of paint suggesting perhaps a study for a larger painting. We are unsure.

The canvas board looks like it's 1950s in age or so. The signature is worn but can be read (see pics). There is a date which might say "74" but again the canvas board looks slightly older so we are unsure if we are reading it correctly. We do know the artist spent quite a bit of time in Europe, and it is likely that this painting was executed there.

Signed lower right by the artist but faded. Also inscribed in the artist's hand and written signature on the reverse.

Condition: Some areas of surface paint chipping/loss to the lower left side and perhaps a couple areas of flaking in the tree at center. Could use a light cleaning. Otherwise good condition. The frame having some gold gilt loss to the lower right corner.

See all pics.

Measurements:

Framed - 15 5/8” x 19 5/8”

Canvas Board - 12” x 16”

Nelson H. White was born in New London, Connecticut in 1932. He received his earliest art instruction from his grandfather, Henry Cooke White (1861-1952) and his father Nelson Cooke White (1900-1989), both important American artists. The family lived in Waterford, Connecticut and the elder White had been an early member of the art colony in Old Lyme, Connecticut.

Known for his paintings of the Connecticut landscape and shoreline, Henry Cooke White became a teacher to his son, Nelson Cooke White. The younger White had been surrounded by art and artists from the time he was born. Living with his parents at the Florence Griswold house in Old Lyme, he met some of the most important and influential artists of the day: Childe Hassam, Will Howe Foote and Harry Hoffman.

During his life, Nelson Cooke White had many one-man exhibitions of his work. Additionally, he was an author, writing the biographies of two American artists, J. Frank Currier and Abbott Thayer as well as numerous essays for museum exhibitions on the work of other artists.

Nelson H. White, the son of Nelson Cooke White, grew up in an environment, which would be the envy of any person interested in the arts. Being exposed to the work of a large cross section of artists, Nelson H. had the opportunity to study many different styles of painting.

During this same time, his father began to take his family to summer vacations on Shelter Island and became friendly with many of the artists of the Peconic colony such as Irving Wiles, an important American impressionist. After graduating from the Tabor Academy in Marion, Massachusetts in 1951, Nelson H. White began to study at Mitchell College in Connecticut but left to pursue studies in the violin, musical theory and composition. At this time, he began to spend more time studying art with his father and grandfather.

By 1955, Nelson H. White had decided to devote himself to a career as a painter and traveled to Florence, Italy to become an apprentice to Pietro Annigoni, the world-renowned Florentine master. Within two years, the young White had won two awards for his work. While in Florence he also studied with the great Italian teacher, Nerina Simi. Today, White divides his time between the United States and Florence.

Nelson H. White is a quiet, intellectual man. Although be has received instruction from some very important artists, his work is highly individual. White paints with great spirit. When we see his work we quickly sense that he has a great love for nature and the outdoors. Through his eyes we are able to view and interpret nature in an intimate manner. Whether Nelson H. White is painting the Connecticut shore, a beach in Italy, a pond on Shelter Island or the hills of Vermont, he allows us to view a soft, yet dramatic side of nature. It is a part of nature which we often are not conscious of.