Harry Faulkner Van der Weyden -- August 10, 2011

American born painter Harry Faulkner Van der Weyden was the son of photographer Henry Van Der Weyde, who was a son of Doctor Peter Henri Van Der Weyde, who wrote the series of articles which gave this blog its name. This article from The Studio, Volume XXXI, 1904 presents images of two of his paintings and talks about his work.

I'm sorry the images of the two paintings, "Landscape" and "L'arbreuvoir", are not in color. I cannot figure out how to translate the latter title into English. I'd appreciate any advice.

When World War One broke out, Van der Weyden, who had adopted the older form of the family name, moved his family to Britain and joined the British army. He remained in Britain after the war, and died there in 1952.

PARIS. — Harry van der Weyden is an American artist settled in France for some years now, yet rarely seen in the Salons. He lives a rather retired life in the little town of Montreuil-sur-Mer, where he produces freely, in direct and ceaseless communion with nature. He has just opened an exhibition of work done during recent years, at the Galerie des Artistes Modernes. The recollections one carries away therefrom are extremely pleasing, and the spectator receives the impression that Van der Weyden is one of the most personal of the American artists living on the Continent.

Although the greater part of these landscapes— a few views of Holland apart—were painted in the same country, there is no sense of monotony about them, so varied are the artist's effects. Certainly he is free from the reproach of being the painter of a single hour or of a single aspect. On the contrary, Van der Weyden shows us in turn morning effects on the sand-hills of the Pas de Calais or on the picturesque ramparts of Montreuil; or village streets seen under the gentle light of a summer night, or the snow-bound city; or, again, beautiful autumnal impressions or riverside scenes or seapieces. Moreover, his figures are full of character; his Berger, his Paysanne avec son Enfant, and his Laveuses are things to study—and remember.