A life-long resident of West Nyack, New York, John Henry Hill was influenced by John Ruskin and David Johnson
in their realistic examinations of nature. Using a brushwork technique that called for small and drier brushstrokes,
he created the differing textures of trees, water and rocks in nature. John Henry painted primarily in the geography and time frame defined by the White Mountain and Hudson River Schools.

Hill’s typical subject matter included lakes and mountains in New Hampshire and New York, although he painted
onboth coasts. William Trost Richards, John La Farge and Samuel Colman were friends and contemporaries.
He is also considered one of the major American still life artists of the second half of the 19th century.

John Henry Hill is recognized as Co-Founder of the Society for the Advancement of Truth in Art.
He was a member of and exhibited at the National Academy of Design. In 1867 he published “Sketches from Nature.” He also made a trip West in 1868, creating sketches, watercolors, and gouaches of scenes in Nevada, Utah, and Northern California. The Following year he settled in Lake George, NY and there turned his Western studies into large oil paintings. In 1888 he prepared An Artist’s Memorial to honor his father,illustrating it with his own etchings after his father’s paintings.

Sources:
"Masters of Color & Light" by Barbara Dayer Gallati, the Brooklyn Museum of Art
"New Hampshire Scenery" by Catherine Campbell
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