James Hope (1818 - 1892)

Ralph and Susanne Katz, “Before He Got Too Good: James Hope, The Early Vermont Landscapes” (forthcoming article).

Lined, scattered minor inpainting, repair with larger amount of inpainting near the cabin in the lower right. Period gilt frame: 22 by 28 in.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Orphaned at thirteen, James Hope purportedly walked from the family farm in Montreal, Canada to Fairhaven, Vermont. There he began an apprenticeship as a wagon maker and he enrolled in the Castleton Seminary. He cultivated an interest in painting, particularly during a short period while recuperating from an injury. He soon turned this interest into a profession, and although he painted portraits to earn a living, it was landscape that drove his passion.  He was not a native of the area, but clearly he felt a strong connection to the valley so much so that he contributed to a multi-volume history of the state published between 1867 and 1891, including a poem entitled Morning In The Valley Of Castleton:

I’m painting at morn when the first rays of light

Gild roof, dome, and spire in golden hues bright.

When the gray mist lies still over valley and mountain

And the waters gush clear from the sparkling fountain