George Douglas Brewerton (American, 1827-1901), Majestic Landscape at Dawn

Pastel on paper, signed at lower right, presented under glass in a period gilt composition frame.

Sight size 24 1/2 x 36 1/2 in.; Frame dimensions 34 x 45 1/2 in.

George Douglas Brewerton was an American artist, writer, and soldier known for his dramatic landscapes of the American West. Born in Newport, Rhode Island, he was educated at Brown University and later attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. Although he did not pursue a military career, his early experiences traveling through the western frontier greatly influenced his work.
In the early 1850s, Brewerton accompanied the famed scout Kit Carson on a journey from California to New Mexico, an adventure that provided firsthand inspiration for his later paintings and writings. His art captured the rugged beauty of the untamed American landscape, often depicting vast, dramatic vistas with expressive brushwork and rich color. His work aligned with the Hudson River School’s emphasis on romanticized, grand depictions of nature.
In addition to his artistic achievements, Brewerton was a skilled writer, publishing accounts of his travels and contributing articles to various periodicals. He also served as a war correspondent during the American Civil War. Later in life, he moved to California, where he continued painting, often focusing on the coastal and mountainous scenery of the region. His ability to blend firsthand observation with artistic interpretation made his landscapes valuable historical records of the American West.

Good estate condition; not examined out of the frame.