JOHN WILLIAM CASILEAR

Born in New York City in 1811, John William Casilear was a student of the engraver Peter Maverick at the age of fifteen. His skills in engraving were noted in his design of bank notes as well as landscapes. He was elected into the National Academy in 1835. From 1840-1843, Casilear traveled to Europe with Asher B. Durand and John F. Kensett. The two painters had great influence on Casilear’s style during this trip. It was Durand who persuaded Casilear to abandon his work in engraving in favor of landscape painting. In 1854, Casilear opened a studio in New York. He soon became a landscape painter of high reputation and a leading member of the Hudson River School of Painting.
The Metropolitan Museum owns his “View of the Catskills,” painted in 1891. The Corcoran Gallery of Washington, D.C., owns his painting of Lake George.