The Life and Legacy of John Edward Thompson
Born in Buffalo, United States, in 1882, John Edward Thompson was an American painter and university professor. His formal art studies began under the illustrator Lucius Hitchcock, followed by two years at the Art Students League of New York. In 1902, he enrolled in the Académie Julian in Paris, where he established a European reputation while in his twenties. During his time in Europe, he spent a year in Laren, Netherlands, and later lived in the home of George Sand. While residing in the French village of Gargilesse-Dampierre, he was inspired by the natural light and scenery to paint landscapes.
Pioneering Modernism in the American West
After being driven back to the United States by World War I, Thompson was drawn to depictions of the American West. He settled in Denver, Colorado, where his leadership introduced modernist European styles to a region that had been resistant to non-traditional art forms. His influence was so significant that he was referred to as the "Dean of Colorado Painters."
Thompson's professional achievements included:
He served as a member of the Denver Atelier and worked at the University of Denver from 1929 until his death in 1945.
