Inspirational Artists: Julien Alden Wier

(1852-1919)

Julien Alden Wier was born on August 30, 1852, in West Point, New York. His father, Robert Walter Weir was a painter and instructor of art at Westpoint Academy. Julien first studied art at the National Academy of Design before traveling to France to study at the Ecole des Beaux Arts. When he was first introduced to Impressionism in France he reacted negatively, saying: "They do not observe drawing nor form but give you an impression of what they call nature."

In 1877 Weir returned to New York City, earning money through commissions and portraits, and by teaching at the Cooper Union Women's Art School. In 1880 he moved to Ridgefield, Connecticut, where he acquired farm property from his marriage to Anna Baker in 1883. During this time he became friends with John Henry Twatchman, and developed his American Impressionist style. See below his painting "On the Shore," painted around 1909, where one can see his unique brushwork, roughly describing the forms of the landscape. There is a lovely energy in this painting, which comes from the vibrant brushwork, laid down in patterns within the shapes that describe the tree leaves, the grass, and the rocks.

Also, see below his painting, "Afternoon by the Pond," painted around 1908, where one can see the same kind of energy in the brushwork of the leaves of the trees, forming almost flat graphic shapes which describe the space of the landscape.