Described as one of America's most imaginative painters, Albert Pinkham Ryder, was born in 1847 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, across the street from the family home of Albert Bierstadt. Ryder entered the National Academy of Design in 1870 and he remained for four school years, until 1875. Soon he became allied with the group of more progressive artists who formed the Society of American Artists in 1877. J. Alden Weir was one of his best friends.

Also in 1877 Ryder made his first trip abroad, to London; he spent the summer of 1882 in Europe and North Africa. Ryder expressed admiration for Rembrandt and he seems to been inspired by Delacroix, Corot, Millet and perhaps Monticelli.

Between 1878 and 1887 Ryder exhibited at the S...