Gallery

Henry A. Ferguson was an American landscape painter known for his views of the White Mountains, Hudson River Valley, and the scenic and architectural subjects he encountered during extensive travels abroad. Born in Glens Falls, NY, he attended Trinity College and studied with Homer D. Martin and George H. Boughton in Albany, though he often described himself as largely self-taught.

Ferguson began exhibiting at the Brooklyn Art Association in 1864, and continued to do so until 1891. He exhibited regularly at the National Academy of Design between 1867 and 1900, and was elected an Associate of the Academy in 1884. His work was also shown at the Boston Art Club (1881-1890), the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1888, 1891), and the Art Institute of Chicago (1888-1891).

Throughout his career, Ferguson traveled extensively in Mexico, South America, Europe, and Egypt, painting both landscapes and architectural views. Following an early world tour, he gained recognition for paintings executed in Italy, Mexico, and Egypt, and contemporary accounts noted that his landscape work attracted favorable attention both in the United States and abroad. In addition to his foreign subjects, he painted along the Hudson River, in the Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts, and throughout New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Known White Mountain subjects include views of Franconia Notch and the surrounding region, as well as a depictions of the Ellis River, Mount Washington, the Saco River, and North Conway.

A longtime member of the Century Association, Ferguson exhibited there in both 1864 and 1911. In January 1911, shortly before his death, he held a private exhibition of American landscapes at the Century Association. During the later years of his career, he devoted considerable attention to the restoration of paintings, earning recognition for his work.

Ferguson died of pneumonia at his home, 226 West 78th Street in New York City, on March 22, 1911, following a brief illness. Funeral services were held at his residence three days later. He was survived by his wife, Eleanor Garrigue Ferguson, daughter of artist Rudolph Garrigue, and their daughter.

Obituary From Boston Evening Transcript
Boston, MA / Thursday, March 23, 1911 / Page 3 / FAMOUS FOR HIS LANDSCAPES / Henry A. Ferguson Had Painted in This and Many Other Countries

Henry A. Ferguson, a painter and an associate member of the National Academy of Design, died late on Wednesday of pneumonia in New York city. He was born in Glens Falls, N. Y., fifty-four years ago [sic]. His landscape work attracted favorable attention both in this country and abroad, for he painted landscapes almost exclusively. He had an exhibit of his work at the Century Club in New York last January. He attended Trinity College, but had always intended to be an artist, and as soon as he left college he travelled extensively. He used to say that he was a “self-taught” painter. Pupil of no particular school, he set up his easel in Egypt, Italy, Mexico and South America and his own country. Besides his landscapes he did many architectural paintings. In recent years Mr. Ferguson devoted a great deal of his time to the restoration of paintings, a work in which he achieved considerable success. He was a member of the Century Association for many years. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, a daughter of the late Rudolph Garrigue, and one daughter.

Signatures

References
Independent research by the authors
New Hampshire Scenery
Who Was Who in American Art