The never-resting Trips Committee has come up with a new and exciting excursion. On Wed. Sept. 26, a group will venture to Ever Rest, home of the Hudson River School landscape artist Jasper Cropsey (1823-1900) and the Gallery of Art, Hastings-on-Hudson.
They will tour the charming wooden Gothic-style house where Cropsey lived his last 15 years with his art, furniture he designed and his studio; and the nearby gallery, which displays paintings from throughout his career in 19th-century gallery style.
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 that had been custom made for Aladdin and was later altered for use at Ever Rest is there. Many European and Asian pieces purchased in New York City and Europe accent the decor.
Jasper was still a very active artist in his early 60s when he and his wife moved to Ever Rest. Having been trained as an architect he designed and built a painting studio at Ever Rest. He 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.
Sign-up, as usual, is in the Trips Book located in the Activities Alcove.