History of Westfield, (Chautauqua County) New York United States of America

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Jasper Francis Cropsey, artist, was born at Westfield, N.Y., Feb. 18, 1823; son of Jacob Kezeau and Elizabeth Hilyer (Cortelyou) Crop-sey; and grandson of Harmon Cropsey. His paternal great-grandfather came from Holland, and his mother's family were French Huguenots, but his father and mother were born on Staten Island, N.Y. His education was acquired at the country schools near his home, and in after years chiefly by self-culture. At the age of thirteen he received a diploma from the Mechanics' institute "for a well-executed model of a house," also one from the American institute for the same model, which attracted so much attention at the time of its exhibition in 1837, that he was called the "Boy that built the House," and secured a position in the office of Joseph Trench, an architect of prominence, with whom he studied, 1837-42. Shortly after entering the office he received a diploma from the American institute for architectural drawing. During these years of architectural study he received a few lessons in watercolor painting from Edward Maurey, an English teacher. His first picture of importance, "Greenwood Lake from Orange county, N.Y.," was painted in 1844, and upon its exhibition at the National academy of design, he was elected an associate academician. He studied in Italy, 1847-49; visited Scotland, and painted a view of Jedburgh Abbey for Mr. John Rutherford, and "The Sybil's Temple," for the Art union. He was elected a National academician in 1851. He resided in London, 1856-63, exhibiting regularly at the Royal academy, and was elected a member of the London society of arts, and also a complimentary member of the London Athenaeum club. He was assistant commissioner at the International exhibition of 1862 in London and received a medal for his services. Chief among the pictures exhibited by him at this time were "Autunm on the Hudson," and "Richmond Hill in 1862." He painted a series of sixteen landscapes of American scenery for E. Gambert & Co., publishers, London, England. He was presented at court to Queen Victoria, by the U.S. minister, Charles Francis Adams. His pictures, exhibited at the Royal academy, were favorably mentioned by John Ruskin. He received a medal and diploma from the Centennial exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876 "for oil painting," the pictures exhibited being "The Old Mill." and "Bonchurch, Isle of Wight." He also painted the "Battlefield" of Gettysburg" shortly after the battle. His picture "The Mellow Autumn Time," was shown at the American exhibition in London in 1887. Mr. Cropsey designed and superintended the construction of the 6th avenue elevated railway stations from Rector street to Central park, New York. He also designed and superintended the erection of cottages at Long Branch. He was elected an honorary member of the Pennsylvania academy of fine arts; a life member of the Lotus club; a member of the Union league club; a member of the Century association in 1851; of the American Water Color society, 1867; a fellow of the Society of Science, Letters and Arts, London, 1872. He died at Hastings, N.Y., June 22, 1900.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Westfield, (Chautauqua County) New York

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