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Scenic Views: Painters of the Scalp Level School Revisited

November 09, 2008 - February 01, 2009

 

To launch the fiftieth anniversary celebrations in 2009, the Westmoreland Museum of American Art mounts an exhibition celebrating its history and future as the primary repository and research organization for southwestern Pennsylvania artists. SCENIC VIEWS: Painters from the Scalp Level School Revisited opens November 9 and runs through February 1, 2009. It is dedicated in memory of founding Westmoreland director Dr. Paul A. Chew, whose primary research on this group of artists resulted in three important publications and an extensive collection housed at the Museum. Under Chew's tenure as director, noted art historian Dr. William H. Gerdts recognized the Museum for its research, collections, and exhibitions on regional artists in his encyclopedic book, Art Across America. (right: William Coventry Wall (1810-1886), VIEW ALONG THE ALLEGHENY NEAR ASPINWALL, PA (TRACKS ALONG THE RIVER), 1867, Oil on canvas, 26.5 x 47.75 inches, Collection: Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Gift of Jack and Suzanne Shilling and Family, 2008.136)

The exhibition features landscape and still life paintings by artists including George Hetzel, William Coventry Wall, Joseph R. Woodwell, Eugene Poole, and Charles Linford among others. The exhibition concentrates on works that have come to market in the last decade or have been in family hands for generations. It includes 70 paintings on loan from private and public collections; all of which have never been on public view previously. This includes a recent Carnegie Museum of Art acquisition by William Coventry Wall, which the Carnegie has graciously permitted to be exhibited at The Westmoreland for the first time.

Curated by Westmoreland Director/CEO Judith H. O'Toole, SCENIC VIEWS expands on her interest in the Scalp Level School and their still life paintings exhibited at the Museum in 2001. It also draws on her more recent research on the Hudson River School using archives and paintings from an important private collection with which she has been associated for over 25 years. For this exhibition, O'Toole has used Chew's initial findings to delve even deeper into the reach, motivation and activities of the Scalp Level School. This association of painters was named for a rural area near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the artists were best known for congregating to paint. The leader of the Scalp Level group was Pittsburgh painter, George Hetzel (1826-1906), who first experienced the beauty of the area during a fishing trip in 1866. For over three decades after, Hetzel and others continued to visit the region drawing inspiration from its rural sanctuary from the industrial city. Like other American 19th century landscape painters, of which there were regional groups throughout the country, Hetzel and his "gang," as they were sometimes known, wanted to preserve their country's virgin wilderness which they feared would soon be ruined by man.

O'Toole states, "It has been my pleasure to work on this exhibition with many collectors, curators, and art historians. Each has made generous contributions to the exhibition in lending their paintings, sharing information and giving insight into the artists. I look forward to working on the publication of a major volume dedicated to the artists of the Scalp Level School in the next year or two."

This fiftieth anniversary exhibition is supported by Allegheny Energy, Eden Hall Foundation, and Richard M. Scaife.

 

SCENIC VIEWS artist list:

John Beatty (1850-1924)
Julius Augustus Beck (1831-1915)
Fred Bussman (1842-1897)
Johanna Knowles Woodwell Hailman (1871-1958)
Louis Heitmuller (1863-?)
George Hetzel (1826-1899)
Lila B. Hetzel (1873-1967)
Albert Francis King (1854-1945)
Jasper Lawman (1825-1906)
Martin B. Leisser (1846-1940)
Charles Linford (1846 -1897)
Hugh Newell (1830-1915)
Eugene A. Poole (1841-1912)
Horatio Stevens (dates unknown)
James Brade Sword (1839-1915)
Olive Turney (1847-1939)
A. Bryan Wall (1861-1935)
Alfred S. Wall (1825-1896)
Bessie Wall (1872-1937)
William Coventry Wall (1810-1886)
David Walkley (1849-1936)
Agnes Way (1842-1943)
Joseph R. Woodwell (1843-1911)

 

Related programs

The following programs were developed in conjunction with SCENIC VIEWS:

 
Wednesday, November 5 at 12 Noon
Brown Bag Lecture
ASI: Art Scene Investigators
How many old family photos do we look and wonder; when and where was this taken? A recent gift to the Museum by William Coventry Wall entitled View Along the Allegheny near Aspinwall, Pa., 1867 raised the same questions. We set the sleuthing skills of archivist, Frank Kurtik and art historian, Gary Grimes to the task of identifying the modern day location of this former pastoral landscape along the Allegheny River. Discover the clues they used to solve our own art mystery. With a M.A. in history from Duquesne University, Frank Kurtik has served as a Research Fellow and Archivist for the Heinz Family Foundation and is currently doing historical research and writing. Gary Grimes began his career as an itinerant art dealer and is well know in regional art circles for his extensive knowledge of southwestern Pennsylvania art history. His lifetime of research, a.k.a. "The Grimes Files," serves as a wellspring of information for curators and collectors.
 
Thursday, December 11 at 7 PM
Thursday Evenings at The Westmoreland
Pennsylvania's Native Landscape
Director/CEO Judith O'Toole, curator for this exhibition, will give a gallery tour of SCENIC VIEWS, which takes a new look a the nineteenth century group of artists who left the smoky streets of Pittsburgh to paint landscapes in the remote area near Johnstown and beyond. Building on founding director Dr. Paul A. Chew's research, the exhibition includes landscape and still life paintings that have come to light in recent years. O'Toole will discuss the artists, their association with Scalp Level, their national context, and their place in today's art market.
 
Wednesday, December 17 at 12 Noon
Brown Bag Lecture
What is the Nature of Nature? Nineteenth Century Literature and the Landscape
Artists weren't the only ones inspired by the natural world around them. As they put brush to canvas to share and interpret the native landscape, writers of the same era were putting pen to paper to examine their own human relationship with nature. Explore the writings and hear the words of nineteenth century authors and poets as they too interpret the indigenous world around them. Sara Lindey, PhD, is a new Assistant Professor at St. Vincent College, teaching Nineteenth Century Literature. She was awarded the Drake Dissertation Fellowship at the University of Minnesota and has authored numerous papers on writing and literature.

 

Checklist for the exhibition

 
1.  John Beatty (1850-1924)
 
Return to the Farm, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 20.25 x 30.375"
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
     
 
2.  Julius Augustus Beck (1831-1915)
 
Paint Creek Falls, PA, n.d.
 
Watercolor on paper, 21 x 14.125
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
3.  Fred Bussman (1842-1897)
 
Woodland Interior, n.d.
 
Oil on board, 7.75 x 9.875
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
4.  Johanna Knowles Woodwell Hailman (1871-1958)
 
Stormy Beach, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 4.5 x 6
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
5.  Louis J. Heitmuller (1863-?)
 
Deer and Woodsman, 1898
 
Oil on canvas, 17 x 25
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
6.  George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Autumn Landscape with Wooden Fence, 1873
 
Oil on canvas, 22 x 36
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hillman
 
 
 
7.  George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Evening, Pennsylvania (Misty Landscape), 1896
 
Oil on canvas, 14 x 23
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Booth, Jr.
 
 
 
8.  George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Forest Interior, 1885
 
Oil on canvas, 14 x 23
 
Collection: William and Cynthia Swartz
 
 
 
9.  George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Indian Encampment, 1889
 
Oil on canvas, 29.5 x 49.5
 
Collection: Brett and Judy Cramer
 
 
 
10. George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Lake Ducks, 1864
 
Oil on canvas, 30.25 x 38.5
 
Collection: Susan and James Parker
 
 
 
11. George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Boy Fishing, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas board, 9.875 x 14
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
12 .George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Ohio Pyle, 1863
 
Oil on canvas, 23 x 40
 
Collection: Ambassador and Mrs. John Doyle Ong
 
 
 
13. George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Still Life with Fruit, September 1865
 
Oil on canvas, 12.125 x 15.5
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
14. George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Still Life: Melon, Grapes & Peaches, 1877
 
Oil on canvas, 9.25 x 13.5
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
15. George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Sunset, n.d.
 
Oil on board, 9.25 x 12.25
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
16 .Lila B. Hetzel( 1873-1967)
 
East Bank Coze's Creek, Somerset Co. [Spring], n.d.
 
Oil on board, 12 x 9
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
17. Lila B. Hetzel (1873-1967)
 
Somerset Cottage [Autumn], n.d.
 
Oil on board, 12 x 9
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
18. Albert F. King (1854-1945)
 
Landscape, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 21.5 x 35.5
 
Collection: Jerry and Joan Hawk
 
 
 
19. Albert F. King (1854-1945)
 
Lane through the Birch Trees, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 22.25 x 30.25
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
20. Albert F. King (1854-1945) 
 
Skull with Champagne and Brandy, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 22.25 x 18.25
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
21. Albert F. King (1854-1945)
 
Still Life (Crock with Apples), 1897
 
Oil on canvas, 17.5 x 23.5
 
Collection: Jerry and Joan Hawk
 
 
 
22. Albert F. King (1854-1945)
 
Stone Pitcher, Apples, Cake and Lemonade, n.d
 
Oil on canvas, 22.25 x 18.25
 
Collection: Susan and James Parker
 
 
 
23. Albert F. King (1854-1945) 
 
Still Life: Watermelon with Fruit, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 18 x 22.25
 
Collection: Mark and Carolyn Snyder
 
 
 
24. Albert F. King (1854-1945)
 
Watermelon with Apples, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 22.25 x 30.25
 
Collection: Susan and James Parker
 
 
 
25. Jasper Lawman (1825-1906)
 
Paint Creek, 1885
 
Oil on canvas, 30.125 x 20.125
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
26. Jasper Lawman (1825-1906)
 
Western Landscape, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, lined, 40 x 61.5
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cramer
 
 
 
27. Jasper Lawman (1825-1906)
 
Wash Day, 1851
 
Oil on canvas, 14.25 x 22.25
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Booth, Jr.
 
 
 
28. Jasper Lawman
 
Morning on the Path to the Spring, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 36 x 24
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. B. Marc Robertshaw
 
 
 
29. Martin B. Leisser (1846-1940)
 
Black Berry Gatherers, 1919
 
Oil on board, 6.5 x 9.25
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
30 .Martin B. Leisser (1846-1940)
 
River Scene, 1922
 
Oil on board, 7.375 x 11.25
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
31. Martin B. Leisser (1846-1940)
 
Shoreline Scene, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 14.125 x 23.25
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
32. Martin B. Leisser (1846-1940)
 
Spruce Creek, 1909
 
Inscribed "September 27, 09,"
 
Oil on canvas, 11.875 x 17.875
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
33. Charles Linford (1846-1897)
 
Twilight, n.d.
 
Oil on lined canvas, 12 x 17
 
Collection: William and Cynthia Swartz
 
 
 
34. Charles Linford (1846-1897) 
 
Cows in a Meadow, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 22.25 x 36
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
35. Charles Linford (1846-1897)
 
Scalp Level, Cambria County, 1888
 
Oil on canvas, 18 x 26
 
Collection: Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lachman
 
 
 
36. Charles Linford (1846-1897) 
 
Summer Serenity, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 18 x 14
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Fred Cramer
 
 
 
37. Charles Linford ( 1846 -1897)
 
September, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 40 x 60
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Friedrich Teroerde
 
 
 
38. Charles Linford (1846-1897)
 
Woods at Eagles Mere, PA, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 22 x 30
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gilliland
 
 
 
39. Hugh Newell (1830-1915)
 
Figures in a Landscape, 1858
 
Oil on canvas, 10 x 14
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
40. Hugh Newell (1830-1915)
 
Sugar Camp, 1875
 
Oil on canvas, 22.25 x 36.375
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
41. Eugene A. Poole (1841-1912)
 
Full Landscape with Sheep, 1901
 
Oil on canvas, 16 x 24
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
42. Eugene A. Poole (1841-1912)
 
Rocky Coastline, 1911
 
Oil on canvas, 22 x 30
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Booth, Jr.
 
 
 
43. Eugene A. Poole (1841-1912)
 
Spring along the River/Storm Clouds, 1909
 
Oil on canvas, 14 x 20
 
Collection: William and Cynthia Swartz
 
 
 
44. Eugene A. Poole (1841-1912)
 
Spring Landscape with Boat, 1896
 
Oil on canvas, 27 x 22
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
45. Horatio S. Stevenson(dates unknown)
 
Early Spring, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 23.125 x 14.125
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
46. James Brade Sword (1839-1915)
 
Scalp Level, August 23, 1878
 
Oil on academy board, 10 x 14.125
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
47. Olive Turney (1847-1939)
 
Silver Sunset, n.d.
 
Oil on board, 15.375 x 26.625
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
48. A. Bryan Wall (1861-1935)
 
Forest Interior, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 20 x 30
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Booth, Jr.
 
 
 
49. A. Bryan Wall 1861-1935)
 
Magnolia Beach Scene, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 30 x 50
 
Private Collection
 
  
 
50. A. Bryan Wall (1861-1935)
 
Sunset, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 16 x 22
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
51. Alfred S. Wall (1825-1896)
 
Forest Interior, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 10 x 14.25
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
52. Alfred S. Wall( 1825-1896)
 
Landscape with Flat Boatman, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 29.5 x 47
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kroh
 
 
 
53. Alfred S. Wall (1825-1896)
 
Winter Sunset (near Portage, PA), 1866
 
Oil on canvas, 28.25 x 47.75
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
54. Bessie Wall (1872-1937)
 
Landscape (sketch), n.d.
 
Oil on board, 10 x 8
 
Collection: Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kroh
 
 
 
55. Bessie Wall (1872-1937)
 
Sheep Grazing, n.d.
 
Oil on panel, 9 x 11
 
Collection: Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Gift of the Women's Committee
 
 
 
56. William Coventry Wall (1810-1886)
 
On the Conemaugh River, 1862
 
Oil on canvas, 19 x 30
 
Collection: Mark and Carolyn Snyder
 
 
 
57. William Coventry Wall (1810-1886)
 
On the Juniata, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 12.5 x 20.25
 
Private Collection
 
       
 
58. William Coventry Wall (1810-1886)
 
Winter Scene, 1861
 
Oil on canvas, 26 x 43
 
Collection: Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Major Paintings Acquisition Fund, 2008.6
 
 
 
59. William Coventry Wall (1810-1886)
 
Scalp Level, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 7 x 11
 
Private Collection
 
           
 
61. William Coventry Wall (1810-1886)
 
View along the Allegheny near Aspinwall, Pa., 1867
 
Oil on canvas, 26.5 x 47.75
 
Collection: Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Gift of Jack and Suzanne Shilling and Family       
 
 
 
62. David Walkley (1849-1936)
 
Forest Lake Scene, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 52 ? x 40
 
Collection: Westmoreland Cultural Trust
 
 
 
63. Agnes Way (1842-1943)
 
Summer Meadow, 1876
 
Oil on canvas board, 9.875 x 12.875
 
Collection:Mr. James Munro
 
 
 
64. Joseph R. Woodwell (1843-1911)
 
Cottage in the Woods, 1878
 
Oil on canvas, 16 x 12
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
65. Joseph R. Woodwell (1843-1911)
 
Figure on a Path, n.d.
 
Oil on canvas, 18 x 14
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
66. Joseph R. Woodwell (1843-1911)
 
Landscape (one of a pair), 1861
 
Oil on canvas, 7.5 x 9.5
 
Collection: Jerry and Joan Hawk 
 
 
 
67. Joseph R. Woodwell (1843-1911)
 
Landscape (one of a pair), 1861
 
Oil on canvas, 7.5 x 9.5
 
Collection: Jerry and Joan Hawk
 
 
 
68. Joseph R. Woodwell (1843-1911)
 
Magnolia by the Sea, 1910
 
Oil on canvas, 30 x 40
 
Collection: Drs. Kathryn and Edward Friedman
 
 
 
69. Joseph R. Woodwell (1843-1911)
 
The Whirlpool, Niagara Falls, 1899
 
Oil on canvas, 20 x 30
 
Private Collection
 
 
 
70. A. F. King (1854-1945)
 
Still Life with Watermelon, n.d.
 
Oil on board, 5.5 x 7.5
 
Collection: Joyce and Wayne Wiester
 
 
 
71. George Hetzel (1826-1899)
 
Sunset, 1886
 
Oil on canvas, 14 x 23
 
Collection: Joyce and Wayne Wiester
 
 
 
72. Charles Linford (1846-1897) 
 
Landscape (sketch), 1894
 
Oil on board, 12 x 13
 
Collection: Joyce and Wayne Wiester
 
 
 
73. William Coventry Wall (1810-1886)
 
Pack Saddle Narrows of the Conemaugh River, Pennsylvania Railroad, 1873
 
Oil on canvas, 24.25 x 56.375
 
]Collection: Arthur and JoAnne Boyle

 

Resource Library editor's note:

To read Judith Hansen O'Toole's gallery guide introduction for SCENIC VIEWS: Painters of the Scalp Level School Revisited please click here.

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