Henry Farrer
Henry Farrer, born in England, was the sibling of Thomas C. Farrer, a prominent figure responsible for founding the Society for the Advancement of Truth in Art, a representative of the Pre-Raphaelite movement in the United States. In contrast to his brother, who received formal drawing instruction from John Ruskin in London, Henry likely pursued a self-taught path. Starting in the early 1860s, he dedicated himself to creating meticulously detailed still lifes and landscapes in watercolor.
These artworks became a regular feature at exhibitions hosted by the American Watercolor Society, an organization he played a pivotal role in establishing. Winter Scene in Moonlight, one of Farrer's earliest known watercolor landscapes, is believed to depict a location in Brooklyn, where he spent most of his life. The painting's unembellished subject matter and precise execution reflect the young artist's early adherence to Pre-Raphaelite principles. Simultaneously, its subtle touch of primitivism reveals his earnest pursuit of self-education.
Due to this quality, along with its cold nocturnal setting and subtle compositional asymmetry, the painting foreshadows the unsettling ambiance characteristic of 20th-century Surrealist landscapes.
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P.S. Here are 10 unique nocturnal paintings, created by the likes of Vincent van Gogh and J.M.W. Turner. Enjoy!