An Exhibition
Above: the cover page to the exhibition brochure. I guess that they do this exhibition annually, because although the brochure reads "2023" it seemed to work with no problems for this exhibition taking place in "2024". In any case the brochure provides very little text, and only five examples of the over 60 exhibited works. Or possibly I picked up the wrong brochure?
I've been to the Newington-Cropsey Foundation a couple of times before. The first time I got as far as the garden, but the house was not open for visitors. The second time I didn't even get as far as the garden, and merely took a few pictures through the fence.
Still, I was determined to come back and see the interior of the house. So, when I saw that this exhibition was taking place I decided to go again.
The Newington Cropsey Foundation
The Newington-Cropsey Foundation was founded in 1977 for the purpose of preserving and displaying the home and paintings of Jasper F. Cropsey (1823-1900), Hudson River School artist. The Cropsey home, Ever Rest, has been on the National Register of Historic Homes since the early 1970’s. In 1994, the Gallery of Art was completed, enabling the foundation to display more of the permanent collection of Cropsey’s paintings, in addition to providing exhibition space for temporary and traveling exhibits. The new building also houses the archives of Cropsey’s writings and papers as well as a small research library.
According to the Foundation’s website:
In the mid 1830’s William Saunders, a local industrialist, built the carpenter gothic style home on two acres of land at 49 Washington Avenue in Hastings Upon Hudson, New York. Jasper and Maria Cropsey moved to the village, by then renamed as Hastings-on-Hudson, in 1885 and by 1886 had purchased Mr. Saunders’ former home. Jasper named the home “Ever Rest,” probably reflecting his view of the property as a restful, peaceful place where he and Maria could spend their twilight years together.
Ever Rest is partially furnished with selections of furniture from the Cropseys’ former home, Aladdin, in Warwick, NY. The dining room set, including table, chairs, and breakfront were designed by Cropsey and built by furniture makers in New York City. Even some of the drapery had been custom made for Aladdin and later altered for use at Ever Rest. Many European and Asian pieces purchased in New York City and Europe accent the decor.
In his early 60’s, Jasper was still a very active artist, and having been a trained architect, set out to design and build a painting studio at Ever Rest. It was completed in about 1887 and Jasper painted there for the rest of his career. The studio includes a large windowed cupola and full length window facing north, both designed to give the artist as much natural light as possible. In addition to being a working studio, the very large space also served as a family room of sorts, as well as a place to entertain guests. It also features an inglenook fireplace, piano, and various chairs and settees.
Ever Rest remained in the Cropsey family after Maria passed away in 1906. Any remaining paintings at Ever Rest were sold at Silo Art Galleries (Cropsey Estate Auction) in New York to settle the Cropsey estate. The Cropsey’s granddaughter Isabel grew up in the house and lived the rest of her life there. Her husband, William Steinschneider, was the last family member to live at Ever Rest, passing away in 1970. The home was placed on the National Register of Historic Houses in the early 1970’s, and became part of the Newington-Cropsey Foundation in 1977. The paintings on display at Ever Rest are part of the Foundation’s permanent collection, collected through the years by John and Barbara Newington, Cropsey’s great-granddaughter, and the Newington-Cropsey Foundation.
Having been cared for by the Cropsey family and then the Foundation, great care has been taken through the years to maintain the home as it was in Jasper and Maria’s time.
The Foundation’s years of research into Cropsey’s paintings had culminated in the publication of the first volume of the Catalogue raisonné.
First stop was the gardens again. But first, a few shots of the exterior of the house.
The House
The Gardens
Below: Saint Michael the Dragonslayer. An inscription on the base reads: "A victorious St. Michael lays down his sword having won the final battle for our God".
In spring, 2000, on the Newington-Cropsey Foundation property in Hastings-on-Hudson, a bronzed statue of St. Michael was installed. Saint Michael is watching over the Gallery of Art Building with a pensive countenance. He’s kneeling, resting on his sword having just expelled the Dragon from Heaven. The statue is very significant to the Foundation, particularly as we entered the new millennium in a dark period in American art and culture. One of the goals of the Foundation is to bring to light the virtues of classic art training and strong cultural values. The recently discovered Dead Sea Scroll, War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness, calls St. Michael the Prince of Light. Traditionally, chapels, (Michael’s Mounts) and statues devoted to Michael are erected in trying times when the Earth Dragon is thought to be strong.
The Foundation seeks to shed light on present times and reveal the goodness that exists in our world by sharing our permanent collection, programs, and events with the public.
The artist that created Saint Michael is Barbara Newington, founder of the Newington-Cropsey Foundation. Mrs. Newington is a great-granddaughter of Jasper F. Cropsey, Hudson River School artist. The Foundation was originally conceived as a venue to display and preserve the works of Cropsey and his home Ever Rest, a National Register Historic Site. (Text from an attractive brochure available in the lobby of the house).
The Exhibition
Then finally on to the exhibition. I'd already passed a security guard on entering the property. When I got to the lobby, I encountered two more who directed me to the elevator to the second floor where the exhibition was. When the elevator doors opened, I was greeted by two more people. This time they seemed to be docents rather than security. They gave me the above brochure and I walked around by myself looking at the paintings. Everyone (guards, docents) was very friendly. The docents didn't offer to answer questions, but I'm sure that if I'd asked one (which I didn't) they would have.
I wasn't allowed to photograph, so to give a feel for the exhibit, I've provided a couple of links of two of the pieces on display
Harro Maas. Freedom is Calling, 2023. Mallard. Acrylic on hardboard.
Rick Pas, United States. The Comic Wood Duck, 2022. Acrylic on PVC panel.
How did I feel about the exhibit? To be honest it didn't really do much for me. Just not to my taste I suppose.
Now Cropsey’s works are another matter. I'm very fond of the Hudson River School artists, and from the brochures and what little I saw of the house there seems to be a good selection of Cropsey's work there. Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed to see the rest of the house - just the room where the exhibition was held.
I asked the docents what I needed to do to see the rest of the collection. They informed me that I have to make a reservation for a tour and told me how to do that. So, it looks like I'll be going back to the Newington Cropsey Foundation yet again. It's located at a really pleasant spot right next to the Hudson River and the Hastings-on-Hudson train station. The garden is small, but very attractive. A tranquil spot, it's perfect for just sitting, reading, and reflecting. The house exterior is beautiful and from what I saw of it the interior seemed spectacular. If I lived in Hastings-on-Hudson I'd probably be there all the time - at least in the garden.
Leaving
Below: a view through the gate to the Foundation towards the Hudson River. In the background you can see the iconic Irvington Water Tower. (See: A Walk Around Hastings-on-Hudson. The Iconic Water Tower.)
