Daniel Garber (1880-1958)
The New Hope school claims Daniel Garber as one of its most reputable impressionist painters. He established his studio in Philadelphia in 1901 and worked as an illustrator, commercial artist and portrait painter while studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in the evenings. It was also around this time that he met and married a fellow student, Mary Franklin. They traveled abroad together and upon returning in 1907, settled near New Hope, (Bucks County) where he became known for his decorative, tapestry-like landscapes. He was also an important teacher and mentor at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, 1909 to 1950.
As a pioneer in his time, Garber’s influence on a later generation of painters was monumental. The style and precision that Daniel Garber stressed in his work can be seen reflected in the work of other artists. As an instructor, Garber held high expectations of his students, yet he was well respected despite his sometimes brash demeanor. His attention to detail and his concern for realistically depicting his surroundings are undoubtedly the reasons that he is considered to be a master of both light and landscape.