Lucien Whiting Powell (1846-1930)
Lucien Whiting Powell was born on his family’s, Levinworth Manor, in Upperville, Virginia. At age 17, he enlisted in the 11th Virginia Calvary and fought at Petersburg, Richmond, and Farmville. After the war, he headed north and studied in Philadelphia with Thomas Moran. He studied the works of J.M.W. Turner at the National Gallery in London. After returning to the United States, he lived primarily in Virginia and Washington, D.C., but made frequent trips west and to Europe, studying and painting along the way. His works were very well received by American art enthusiasts. Teddy Roosevelt was a fan, as was the wife of Missouri Senator John B. Henderson, who owned over 200 of Powell’s works.
Information courtesy of Cowan’s Auctions Inc., May 2005.