Woodland Landscape-William Trost Richards-1860

William Trost Richards was an American landscape artist who was born on 14 November 1833 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died on 17 April 1905. He was known for his detailed and luminous landscape paintings, often depicting scenes from the northeastern United States and coastal views. Richards was particularly skilled at capturing the effects of light and atmosphere in his works, creating immersive and evocative natural landscapes. Richards initially trained as an architect but later turned to painting, studying under the guidance of several prominent artists of his time, including Paul Weber and William Stanley Haseltine. He travelled extensively throughout his career, drawing inspiration from a variety of natural settings, including the Adirondack Mountains, the White Mountains, and coastal areas such as Rhode Island and New Jersey. Richards' paintings are characterised by meticulous attention to detail, vibrant colours and a sense of tranquillity that permeates his landscapes. He often depicted scenes of serene woodlands, rocky coastlines and tranquil bodies of water, conveying a deep reverence for the beauty and grandeur of the natural world. Throughout his life, Richards achieved considerable success as an artist, exhibiting his work widely and earning recognition for his contributions to American landscape painting.