Painting the Wilderness: John Fery and Contemporaries

On view June 5, 2014 - January 5, 2015

Exhibit Extended!

The Wildling has organized this exciting new show celebrating art's role in helping to bring national attention to the natural treasures of the West.  Artist John Fery, while not as well known as names like Albert Bierstadt or Thomas Moran, was a prolific painter of the wilderness, in part due to his commissions for the the Great Northern Railway (GNR).  He painted over 300 canvases during his time with GNR.

The exhibition features the Wildling's own 3 Fery paintings and loans of others from the Carol Hannon Living Trust.  Her collection includes Fery's last known painting palette and a delightful hand-painted box Fery made for his daughter Fiametta.

In addition to Fery's paintings, the Wildling has 7 paintings done by peers and contemporaries of Fery, several of whom also did commissions for railroads, and all of whom beautifully illustrated the amazing Western natural landscape.  These artists include Thomas Hill, Elmer Wachtel, Marian K. Wachtel, Jack Wilkinson Smith, William Keith, Henry Chapman Ford and George Gardner Symons.

Thanks to our exhibition sponsors: 

The Towbes Foundation and donors to the Patti Jacquemain Exhibition Fund

Thanks to our exhibition lenders:

Carol Hannon Living Trust California Art Company, LLC Louise and John Clarke