Painting by William Henry Singer Jr, Gray Day Norway 1915

Gray Day Norway - painted by William Henry Singer 1915

Details

American painter and art patron, William Henry Singer Jr. was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy industrial family. His father was successful in the mining industry and owned the successful Singer-Nimick and Co. iron works. Singer initially pursued an accounting education and a career working for his family, before focusing on his artistic practice. In 1895, Singer married Hagerstown, PA resident, Anna Brugh, and in the summer of 1900, Singer and his supportive spouse went to Monhegan Island in Maine where Singer began painting full time. Singer had first studied painting privately with Martin Borgord, a Norwegian expat living in Pittsburgh, and later he continued his studies in Paris enrolling at the Académie Julian for a few months. In France he became deeply influenced by French Impressionism, and Willard Metcalf was an early American influence.

Singer and his wife left France and moved to Laren, Holland, outside of Amsterdam, where a regional school of artists was located. The couple also began spending summers on the west coast of Norway and ultimately settled near the picturesque village of Olden on the Nordfjord, north of Bergen.

Singer's work often focused on landscapes, harbor scenes, and everyday life, characterized by soft brushwork, muted tones, and an emphasis on atmosphere rather than fine detail. Over time, Singer developed a style that blended American sensibilities with European techniques, earning him recognition among both American expatriates and European art circles. He exhibited widely and was a member of many major arts organizations in Europe and the US.

In addition to his career as a painter, Singer played a significant role as a patron of the arts, particularly in the Netherlands and Norway.

Dimensions

including frame: 46" H x 48" W x 3.5" D