Thomas Hill

Yosemite, Bridal Veil Falls, c. 1898

• Oil on canvas
• 28" x 18", artwork
• 34.75" x 24.75" x 2.75", framed
• Historic

Not Available

Provenance
Consigned to American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California; By descent to a private collector, Encino, California; Acquired in 1998 by a private collector (Palo Alto, San Carlos, and Oceanside, California); From Butterfield & Butterfield Auctions

Description
In this evocative oil painting, Thomas Hill captures the dramatic grandeur of Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite Valley, one of the most celebrated natural landmarks of the American West. Framed by towering granite cliffs and set against a luminous, partly clouded sky, the powerful vertical descent of the waterfall draws the eye downward to a tranquil forested riverbed below. Hill’s skillful handling of atmosphere, light, and scale conveys both the majesty and serenity of this iconic scene. Executed circa 1898, this work reflects Hill’s mature period, during which he repeatedly returned to Yosemite as a subject of both artistic and spiritual reverence. With its rich earth tones, crisp highlights, and finely layered brushwork, the painting exemplifies Hill’s deep-rooted connection to the Hudson River School tradition and the emerging identity of the American landscape.

Major examples of Thomas Hill’s Yosemite paintings are included in the permanent collections of the White House, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Crocker Art Museum, the de Young Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Haggin Museum, and several other leading institutions.

Frame
Presented in the original substantial period frame of handcrafted wood with a deep profile, carved corner and center ornaments. Recently re-finished in 17-karat gold leaf. The frame features a classically stepped molding structure that draws the eye inward toward the composition. Its clean yet decorative lines are well-suited to the period and subject of the painting, aligning with the American landscape tradition and the framing styles favored by collectors of Hudson River School and Western expansion painters.

Condition
Very good, commensurate with age. Recent restoration in left upper sky area, including inpainting (common in 19th-century works). While the painting has undergone some minor restoration in the sky—typical for works of this age—it retains its integrity and visual power. The surface presents with vibrant color, stable paint layers, and no structural concerns.

Exhibited
Scenic Route: A Half Century of California Discovery, 1900-1950, American Legacy Fine Arts, Pasadena, California, August 15 - October 11, 2025

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