Considered a second generation Hudson River School* painter and a follower of John Kensett, James Suydam, architect, lawyer and artist, is known for his peaceful, subtle, landscapes that give a poetic interpretation to nature in styles of Tonalism* and Luminism*. In many of his paintings, he explored aerial perspective and the effects of water meeting land as well as light on these subjects, especially mid-day when the sky was clear. Many of his works are low-horizoned panoramic views, but small in actual size. Some paintings had small figures, engaged in farm tasks.

Suydam was born in New York City, and was a descendant from an old New York Dutch merchant family. He graduated from New York University ...