George Gardner Symons stands as a significant figure in the annals of American art history, celebrated primarily as a landscape and marine painter. His work, deeply rooted in the Impressionist tradition, is distinguished by a profound observation of the natural world and a vibrant, expressive technique. Active during a transformative period for American art, Symons carved a unique niche for himself, becoming particularly renowned for his evocative depictions of New England snow scenes and the sun-drenched landscapes of California. His dedication to painting outdoors, or en plein air, allowed him to capture the fleeting effects of light and atmosphere with remarkable immediacy.
Throughout his prolific career, Symons garnered considerable acclaim, leaving behind a legacy of works held in major museum collections and a reputation as a key contributor to the American Impressionist movement. His life journey, from his early training in Chicago and Europe to his established studios on both coasts of the United States, reflects a deep commitment to his craft and an engagement with the artistic currents of his time.
Early Life and Artistic Formation
George Gardner Symons entered the world in Chicago, Illinois. While his exact birth year remains a subject of some historical debate, with sources variously citing 1861, 1863, 1865, or 1866, his death certificate records his passing in 1930 at the age of 68, suggesting a birth year closer to 1861 or 1862. However, 1863 is also frequently cited in biographical records. He was born into a family of German immigrants whose original surname was Simon. In a move reflecting the societal pressures of the era, the family later anglicized their name to Symons, reportedly to avoid anti-Semitic prejudice.
Symons received his initial artistic grounding in his native Chicago. Although specific records of formal enrollment at the prestigious Art Institute of Chicago are apparently scarce according to some accounts, it is widely accepted that he undertook training there. Seeking broader horizons and deeper immersion in contemporary art movements, Symons subsequently embarked on an extended period of study in Europe, spending nearly a decade abroad. His time was divided among major artistic centers, including Paris, London, and Munich, where he absorbed the influences of European Impressionism and honed his technical skills.
This European sojourn was crucial in shaping his artistic vision. He was exposed firsthand to the revolutionary approaches to light, color, and brushwork that characterized Impressionism. This experience laid the foundation for his own distinctive style, which would later blossom upon his return to the United States, blending European techniques with a uniquely American sensibility and subject matter.
The Influence of Friendship: William Wendt
A pivotal relationship in Symons's artistic and personal life was his enduring friendship with fellow painter William Wendt. Likely meeting during their formative years in Chicago's art scene, the two men forged a bond that would last a lifetime and prove mutually influential. Wendt, who would also become a highly respected landscape painter, particularly associated with California Impressionism, shared with Symons a deep reverence for nature and a commitment to capturing its essence on canvas.
Their camaraderie extended beyond shared artistic sensibilities. Symons and Wendt traveled and painted together, most notably spending time in the burgeoning artists' colony of St. Ives in Cornwall, England. This picturesque coastal town, popular among international artists drawn to its unique light and rugged scenery, provided fertile ground for their artistic explorations. They immersed themselves in the practice of en plein air painting, working side-by-side to capture the atmospheric effects of the Cornish coast.
Later, their paths would converge again in California. Both artists were drawn to the dramatic landscapes and brilliant light of the American West. They were key figures in the development of the art colony in Laguna Beach, California, painting the coastal scenes, rolling hills, and canyons that would become iconic subjects of California Impressionism. Their shared experiences and artistic dialogue undoubtedly enriched both painters' work, contributing to their individual successes and their collective impact on American landscape painting.
Development of an Impressionist Style
George Gardner Symons is firmly situated within the American Impressionist movement, yet his style possesses a unique character that blends Impressionist techniques with a strong foundation in Realism. His primary method was painting en plein air, directly engaging with the landscape to capture the immediate sensations of light, color, and atmosphere. This approach lent his work a freshness and spontaneity characteristic of Impressionism.
His paintings are often marked by a vibrant palette and bold, energetic brushwork. He applied paint thickly in places (impasto), creating textured surfaces that convey the physicality of the scenes he depicted. Symons demonstrated a keen sensitivity to the nuances of light and its effect on color, a hallmark of Impressionist practice. Whether capturing the dazzling sunlight on California hills or the subtle, diffused light of a snowy New England day, his handling of light and shadow was masterful.
However, Symons did not fully dissolve form in the manner of some French Impressionists. His work retains a strong sense of structure and solidity, reflecting an underlying realist sensibility. His compositions are typically well-defined, and his observation of natural detail is acute. This fusion of Impressionist vibrancy with realist structure resulted in paintings that are both visually exciting and grounded in careful observation. Critics and historians often note the qualities of vitality, simplicity, and harmony in his work.
Iconic Subjects: New England Winters and California Sun
While Symons painted a variety of landscapes and marine subjects, he became particularly celebrated for two distinct, almost contrasting, types of scenery: the snow-covered landscapes of New England and the sun-baked vistas of California. His ability to convincingly portray such different environments speaks to his versatility and his profound connection to the American land.
His New England winter scenes are perhaps his most iconic works. He spent considerable time painting in the Berkshire Mountains and around his studio in Colrain, Massachusetts. These paintings masterfully capture the unique qualities of light on snow – the cool blues and violets in the shadows, the warm reflections of sunlight, the crispness of the winter air. He depicted snow-laden trees, frozen streams, and rolling hills with a sensitivity that conveyed both the beauty and the starkness of the winter landscape. These works earned him widespread recognition on the East Coast.
Equally compelling were his depictions of California. Drawn, like many artists of his generation, to the state's dramatic scenery and brilliant light, Symons became an important figure in the California Impressionist movement. He painted the coastal areas around Laguna Beach, the arid inland hills, desert landscapes, and even the majestic Grand Canyon. In these works, his palette often shifted to warmer tones, reflecting the intense sunlight and distinct atmospheric conditions of the West. His California paintings contributed significantly to the visual identity of the region's art.
Representative Works
Several specific paintings stand out as representative of George Gardner Symons's artistic achievement and style. Among his most frequently cited works is An Opalescent River. This painting, now held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, exemplifies his dynamic approach to landscape. It is noted for its rapid, energetic brushwork and the use of thick layers of paint (impasto), which create a sense of movement and texture, effectively conveying the shimmering, multi-hued surface of the water and the surrounding environment.
Another significant work often mentioned is Rock-Ribbed Hills. The title itself suggests the solid, structural quality that underlies Symons's Impressionist technique. This painting likely showcases his ability to render the geological forms of the landscape with strength and conviction, while simultaneously capturing the effects of light and atmosphere playing across the surfaces. Such works highlight his balance between observed reality and expressive interpretation.
His depictions of the Grand Canyon also represent an important part of his oeuvre. Tackling such a monumental and challenging subject required keen observational skills and a bold approach to composition and color. These paintings demonstrate his ambition to capture the sublime power and vast scale of the American West, translating its unique colors and dramatic light effects into the Impressionist idiom. These, along with his numerous snow scenes and coastal views, solidify his reputation as a versatile and accomplished landscape painter.
Artistic Circles and Collaborations
Beyond his close friendship with William Wendt, George Gardner Symons moved within wider artistic circles, engaging with fellow painters both in Europe and the United States. During his time in St. Ives, Cornwall, he was part of a vibrant international artists' community. There, he interacted and likely painted alongside artists such as Edwin Rood and the prominent American Impressionist Elmer Schofield. These interactions provided opportunities for shared learning and the exchange of ideas about landscape painting techniques and styles, particularly the application of Impressionist principles to outdoor subjects.
Upon establishing himself in the United States, Symons became deeply involved in the burgeoning art scene in California, particularly in Laguna Beach. He was a respected member of the community of artists who formed the core of the California Impressionist movement. This group included notable figures such as Guy Rose, known for his delicate depictions of figures in landscapes, and Edgar Payne, famous for his dramatic Sierra Nevada mountain scenes and coastal views.
Other important California painters active during Symons's time in the region, and sharing a similar focus on light and landscape, included Franz Bischoff, celebrated for his vibrant floral still lifes and later landscapes; Maurice Braun, known for his atmospheric Southern California landscapes; and Alson S. Clark, who also worked in an Impressionist style. Symons's presence and work contributed to the vitality of this regional school. Furthermore, his work stands alongside that of major figures of American Impressionism nationwide, such as Childe Hassam, John Henry Twachtman, and J. Alden Weir, who were shaping the course of American art on the East Coast. Other California contemporaries included Granville Redmond and Benjamin Chambers Brown, further enriching the artistic milieu Symons inhabited.
Recognition and Professional Life
George Gardner Symons enjoyed considerable success and recognition during his lifetime. His work was frequently exhibited and consistently well-received by critics and the public. His first documented exhibition in the United States occurred in 1896, and by 1899, he had achieved sufficient stature to hold a solo exhibition at the prestigious Royal Academy in London, a significant accomplishment for an American artist.
His artistic excellence was formally acknowledged through numerous awards and honors. He received the Carnegie Prize from the Art Institute of Chicago (sources cite both 1909 and 1910 for this award). In 1913, he was awarded the Saltus Medal for Merit from the National Academy of Design in New York, a highly respected honor. Later, he received the Altman Prize, also from the National Academy, in 1922. These accolades cemented his reputation among the leading painters of his generation.
Symons's work found its way into the permanent collections of major American museums, ensuring its lasting visibility. Institutions holding his paintings include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), and the Smithsonian American Art Museum (which absorbed much of the collection of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, another institution that collected his work). Beyond his painting, Symons was active in professional organizations and served as a Trustee of the Art Institute of Chicago from 1923 to 1926. He also undertook commercial commissions, notably creating promotional paintings for the Santa Fe Railway, showcasing the scenic beauty accessible via their routes.
Later Life and Legacy
In his later years, George Gardner Symons continued to paint actively, dividing his time between his various studios and favored painting locations. He maintained studios in New York City, Colrain, Massachusetts, and Laguna Beach, California, allowing him to capture the diverse landscapes of both the East and West Coasts throughout the changing seasons. His commitment to en plein air painting remained central to his practice.
He remained an influential figure, particularly within the California art community, where he had played a role in the early development of the Laguna Beach art colony. His work continued to be exhibited, and his reputation as a master of landscape painting, especially snow scenes, endured.
George Gardner Symons passed away on January 12, 1930, in Hillside, New Jersey, at the age of 68 (based on the most consistent records). He left behind a significant body of work that continues to be admired for its technical skill, vibrant depiction of light and color, and heartfelt connection to the American landscape.
His legacy lies in his contribution to American Impressionism, particularly his distinctive fusion of Impressionist technique with realist observation. He is remembered as one of the foremost painters of New England winters and a key figure in the California Impressionist movement. While some historical sources have occasionally caused confusion by associating him loosely with the Pennsylvania Impressionists centered around New Hope, scholarly consensus confirms that his primary spheres of activity and influence were New England and California, distinct from the New Hope school. George Gardner Symons remains an important and respected name in the history of American art.
