Thomas Chambers (1808-1866)
Born in England, Thomas Chambers became a painter known for landscape and marine scenes, especially of the Hudson River from Albany and from New York City, all in naive, primitive style with bold color, rhythmic shapes applied with brushwork that made his work seem vital and lively. Among the titles of his Hudson River paintings are STATEN ISLAND AND THE NARROWS (Brooklyn Museum) and VILLA ON THE HUDSON NEAR WEEHAWKEN (New York State Historical Association). Some of his most dramatic paintings were naval battles of the American Revolution and the War of 1812. He also did portraits, but none of them have been found.
Much that is known about his artwork comes from knowledge of prints made from his originals. Little is known about his life, and his given birth and death dates are estimates with both 1808 and 1815 used. It is known that he came to American in 1832, likely without formal art training, and became a naturalized citizen. From 1834 to 1843, he was listed in the New York City directory; from 1843 to 1851 in Boston; and then in Albany and New York City. He may have lived beyond 1866, but no documenting records have been found.
He differed from most painters of primitive style because he used large, rhythmic shapes with light and shadow instead of flat forms. His skies very often use salmon or purple clouds and he also frequently incorporated rock strewn foregrounds and spiky plants.
Information courtesy of Charlton Hall Galleries, February 2007