Skip to main content

Video Loading

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 22

Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972
"Central Park Nocturne" Impressionist Oil Painting Figures in Central Park NYC
Mid-20th Century

Price:$4,100

$8,500List Price

About the Item

A stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City scenes. Here we find a Central Park pathway at night and the Manhattan buildings depicted in the far background with pops of colors shinning through the lights and magic of the city. The artist was truly a master of capturing New York in all of its glory throughout the seasons. This piece is executed whimsically, yet dramatically evoking an emotion of wonder and beauty. This piece is signed lower right by the artist and stamped on the back, it comes housed in a beautiful French giltwood frame with linen liner and hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 6 x 8 inches Frame measures 9.75 x 11.75 inches Johann Berthelsen was born in Copenhagen in 1883, the 7th of seven children, to Conrad and Dorothea Karen Berthelsen. His parents were involved in artistic and professional circles. In 1890, his mother brought the children to America, settling in Manistee, Michigan, with her sister's family. They would eventually move to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a city on the shore of Lake Michigan. As a teenager, Johann was actively involved in choirs and singing groups. And he always loved to draw and paint, and while he was too impatient to take well to schoolwork, and never went beyond the 5th grade. Although he worked in several trades, Johann's mind and heart were always with the arts. As his voice matured, he also always wanted to be an actor, and at the age of 18 moved to Chicago where he reconnected with an old friend who was studying voice at the Chicago Musical College. He was awarded the school's Gold Medal on two occasions, and after graduation, he earned a job as the lead baritone with the newly formed Standard Opera Company which was owned by the Schuberts. For the next five years, Johann Berthelsen enjoyed a rich and varied career, touring the U.S. and Canada in operas, concerts, Gilbert Sullivan, and operettas. Despite considerable success, the grueling pace of life on the road was difficult, and in 1910 he joined the voice faculty at Chicago Musical College. So he eventually had more time to pursue other personal interests, especially painting. He became friends with the artist, Svend Svendsen, a noted landscape painter whose snow scenes especially intrigued Berthelsen, which became a major influence in his choice of mood and treatment of light and shadow. In 1913, at the age of 30, he became the youngest-ever head of the voice department at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music. In Indianapolis, he began a friendship with the painter, Wayman Adams. A native of Muncie, Indiana, Adams had studied with William Merritt Chase and Robert Henri in Spain and Italy and had already established a reputation as a portraitist. Adams and Berthelsen were to remain best friends for the remainder of their lives. Adams would paint many significant portraits of Berthelsen including a life-sized image of his friend preparing to go on stage. In 1920, seeking to advance their careers, Berthelsen and Adams moved to New York, where both achieved rapid success. From 1920 through the late '50s, Wayman Adams painted some of his best-known works. Johann Berthelsen established a private school of singing instruction at the Rodin Studios and attracted a distinguished following, but in 1929, the heady prosperity of the Roaring '20s dissolved in the Stock Market crash, and the arts were among the hardest hit sectors. With many Broadway theaters shuttered and the Metropolitan Opera cutting salaries, Johann's pupils disappeared. With the little money left, he purchased art supplies and canvases and began to refine his technique in oil painting. He painted quickly and prolifically, bringing his work to some of the leading galleries. Of the many subjects he painted, the one that he would become most identified with was the city itself. The New York snow scenes burst with movement; cars, trucks, taxis, and people seem to rejoice in the snow that turns the city into a wonderland. Though he was exclusively self-taught he owned his craft and technique. As his paintings become more popular, his reputation increased. By 1940, his reputation had grown to the point where he was asked to join The Lecture Bureau of the Columbia Broadcasting System. In 1942 the family moved to rural New Milford, Connecticut, where Berthelsen painted many views of the surroundings. With the end of the Second World War, the Depression finally ceased and in the first blush of post-war prosperity, the public again had the time and money to devote to the arts. As more prominent personalities began to collect his work, in 1950 the family moved back to New York City, in part because of the high demand for his work and easy access to galleries. He exhibited his work at the Barbizon-Plaza Galleries, the Allan Rich Gallery, and the Jean Bohne Gallery, among others. The 1960s proved to be an especially satisfying time for Johann and his family since the financial pressures lessened and his paintings started commanding better prices. In 1971 he was hit by a car, which led to a decline in health and ultimately his death the following year 1972. PROVENANCE: Estate of a Private collection Long Island, New York; Private Collection Manhattan, New York; Lilac Gallery Collection. The piece will be stamped from Lilac Gallery on its verso.

Creator:
Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972 (1883 - 1972, American)
Creation Year:
Mid-20th Century
Dimensions:
Height: 9.75 in (24.77 cm)Width: 11.75 in (29.85 cm)Depth: 1 in (2.54 cm)
Medium:
Canvas,Oil,Board
Movement Style:
American Impressionist
Period:
Mid-20th Century
Condition:
With very light wear from age, otherwise, this painting and its frame are in very good to excellent condition for the time period.
Gallery Location:
New York, NY
Reference Number:
Seller: 0056691stDibs: LU98214544642

You May Also Like

"Pilgrimage" - Mid Century Figurative Landscape

By Mary Miller

Located in Soquel, CA

"Pilgrimage", a mid century figurative landscape by Carmel, California artist Mary Miller (Klepich) (American, ? - 1957). Presented in a rustic giltwood frame. Signed "Mary Miller" lower right. Titled "Pilgrimage," dated "1952" and signed "Mary Miller" on logo on verso, with Santa Cruz Art League Twenty Third Statewide Art Exhibition Label. Image, 18"H x 24"L. Framed size: 22.5"H x 28.5"W. Mary Miller (Klepich) exhibited in the Twenty-Third Annual Santa Cruz State-Wide Art Exhibition. She and her husband Fred Klepich studied at Bellas Artes, San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Fred and Mary Owned Carmel Craft Studios, later (SAS) Studio Art Supplies...

Category

1950s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

"Pilgrimage" - Mid Century Figurative Landscape

Mary Miller
"Pilgrimage" - Mid Century Figurative Landscape, 1952

$1,600 Sale Price

20% Off

H 22.5 in W 28.5 in D 1.5 in

"Days End" - Volcano, California 1970 s Horizontal Landscape

By Frederick Colbus

Located in Soquel, CA

A charming scene of a man leading his horse down a country lane near a red barn in Volcano, CA by listed artist Frederick Colbus (American, 1917-1986). Signed and dated "F. Colbus, 1978" lower right. On verso titled "Days End" (Volcano, CA), signed F. Colbus, and dated July 30, 1978. Presented in a wood frame with linen liner. Image size: 12"H x 24"L Frederick Colbus was born in Daly City...

Category

1970s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

"Days End" - Volcano, California 1970
s Horizontal Landscape

Frederick Colbus
"Days End" - Volcano, California 1970 s Horizontal Landscape, 1978

$920 Sale Price

20% Off

H 18 in W 30 in D 2 in

Rota, Spanish Landscape -- Pobre Casa Cadiz

By John Sackas

Located in Soquel, CA

Wonderful Spanish landscape of a humble farm in Rota, Cadiz, Spain with horses, a cow with two herons, one of which is on cow's back by San Francisco artist John Sackas (American, 1910-2004), circa 1950s. Signed lower Left "Sackas" and verso Rota Farm House Cadiz" "John Sackas" . Verso has location, attribution and full artist's biography. Presented in gilt-toned carved wood frame. Image size: 14"H x 18"W. Born in New Jersey on May 22, 1910. John Sackas studied at the San Francisco Art Institute (1934), Chouinard Art School in Los Angeles, Corcoran Gallery of Art, and California School of Fine Arts, Jerry...

Category

1950s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Canvas, Illustration Board

Rota, Spanish Landscape -- Pobre Casa Cadiz

John Sackas
Rota, Spanish Landscape -- Pobre Casa Cadiz, Circa 1950s

$1,250

H 18 in W 22 in D 7 in

Along the Path - Figurative Landscape

By Carol H. Kelly

Located in Soquel, CA

Along the path on a walk, a vivid impressionist oil painting by Carol H. Kelly (American, 20th Century). Signed "C.H. Kelly" and dated "70" lower right. Unframed. Image size, 18.5"H ...

Category

1970s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Along the Path - Figurative Landscape

Carol H. Kelly
Along the Path - Figurative Landscape, 1970

$460 Sale Price

20% Off

H 19 in W 24 in D 1 in

Afternoon Stroll, American Impressionist, Figure on Forest Path, Landscape

Located in Wiscasset, ME

Juliet M. White was born in Philadelphia in 1880. She studied at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women, which became the largest art school for women in the United States. Its ...

Category

20th Century American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

Afternoon Stroll, American Impressionist, Figure on Forest Path, Landscape

Juliet M. White
Afternoon Stroll, American Impressionist, Figure on Forest Path, Landscape

$2,300

H 16.75 in W 14.75 in

Early 20th Century Figurative -- The Paper Boy and His Comics

By Louise Miller Clark

Located in Soquel, CA

Wonderful 1940s figurative of paper boy reading the comics by Louise Miller Clark (American, 20th Century). Signed "Louise Miller" lower right. Unframed. Im...

Category

1940s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Early 20th Century Figurative -- The Paper Boy and His Comics

Louise Miller Clark
Early 20th Century Figurative -- The Paper Boy and His Comics, 1939

$3,800

H 24 in W 18 in D 1 in

Mid Century Figurative Landscape -- Aptos Village Apple Shed and Market

By Jon Blanchette

Located in Soquel, CA

Charming mid century figurative landscape of Aptos Village Apple Shed and Market by listed California artist Jon Blanchette (American, 1908-1987). Aptos is just south of Santa Cruz,...

Category

1960s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Cardboard

Mid Century Figurative Landscape -- Aptos Village Apple Shed and Market

Jon Blanchette
Mid Century Figurative Landscape -- Aptos Village Apple Shed and Market, 1961

$950

H 16 in W 20 in D 1 in

In the Garden, 10x8" oil on board

By Lu Haskew

Located in Loveland, CO

In the Garden by Lu Haskew Oil Painting of woman with an umbrella in a backyard garden 10x8" image size 14x12" framed Shipping price includes the custom packing necessary for safe t...

Category

Early 2000s American Impressionist Figurative Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

In the Garden, 10x8" oil on board

Lu Haskew
In the Garden, 10x8" oil on board, 2005

$500

H 14 in W 12 in D 1.5 in

“Village Street” by Mary Nicholena MacCord, American Impressionist European Town

By Mary Nicholena MacCord

Located in Yardley, PA

A wonderful view of a charming European town. This work captures the quiet intimacy of a cobbled lane, its golden stones leading the viewer toward a cluster of whitewashed and brick ...

Category

Early 20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

“Village Street” by Mary Nicholena MacCord, American Impressionist European Town

Mary Nicholena MacCord
“Village Street” by Mary Nicholena MacCord, American Impressionist European Town, Early 20th Century

$2,750

H 26.75 in W 22.75 in D 1.25 in

"Bass Rocks" Josephine Reichmann, Impressionist Surf, Luminous Waves, Seascape

Located in New York, NY

Josephine Reichmann Bass Rocks Signed lower right Oil on canvasboard 14 x 16 inches Reichmann was born in 1864 in Louisville, Kentucky. After studying at the School of the Art Inst...

Category

1920s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

"Bass Rocks" Josephine Reichmann, Impressionist Surf, Luminous Waves, Seascape

Josephine Reichmann
"Bass Rocks" Josephine Reichmann, Impressionist Surf, Luminous Waves, Seascape, circa 1920s

$8,500

H 22 in W 23 in

More From This Seller

"Gloucester Harbor" Impressionist Sail Boats on the Water Oil Painting Framed

By John Terelak

Located in New York, NY

A truly masterful depiction of several colorful sail boats in Gloucester Harbor, scene on the reflective water with a glowing sun shimmering through the puffed clouds. An oil on boar...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board, Canvas

"Gloucester Harbor" Impressionist Sail Boats on the Water Oil Painting Framed

John Terelak
"Gloucester Harbor" Impressionist Sail Boats on the Water Oil Painting Framed, 21st Century

$5,000

"View of the Empire State NYC in Snow" Impressionistic Ashcan School Style

By Cindy Shaoul

Located in New York, NY

An impressionistic depiction of a figure in the snow with cars and buildings in the busy City Streets. The Empire State Building is portrayed in the background as the snow filled str...

Category

2010s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

"View of the Empire State NYC in Snow" Impressionistic Ashcan School Style

Cindy Shaoul
"View of the Empire State NYC in Snow" Impressionistic Ashcan School Style, 2020

$1,200

"The Lake Plaza Hotel New York" Impressionist Oil Painting in Central Park

By Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972

Located in New York, NY

A stunning jewel and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City scenes. Here we find a The Plaza hotel and the Manhattan buildings depicted in the far background with pops of colors shinning through the lights and magic of the city. The artist was truly a master of capturing New York in all of its glory throughout the seasons. This piece is executed whimsically, yet dramatically evoking an emotion of wonder and beauty. This piece is signed lower right by the artist and it also bears the reproduction right's stamp on the reverse. It is titled on the back and it comes housed in a beautiful French giltwood frame with linen liner and hanging wire on verso ready to be displayed. Art measures 6.5 x 8 inches Frame measures 12 x 14 inches Johann Berthelsen was born in Copenhagen in 1883, the 7th of seven children, to Conrad and Dorothea Karen Berthelsen. His parents were involved in artistic and professional circles. In 1890, his mother brought the children to America, settling in Manistee, Michigan, with her sister's family. They would eventually move to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, a city on the shore of Lake Michigan. As a teenager, Johann was actively involved in choirs and singing groups. And he always loved to draw and paint, and while he was too impatient to take well to schoolwork, and never went beyond the 5th grade. Although he worked in several trades, Johann's mind and heart were always with the arts. As his voice matured, he also always wanted to be an actor, and at the age of 18 moved to Chicago where he reconnected with an old friend who was studying voice at the Chicago Musical...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

"The Lake
Plaza Hotel New York" Impressionist Oil Painting in Central Park

Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972
"The Lake Plaza Hotel New York" Impressionist Oil Painting in Central Park, Mid-20th Century

$8,500

"St. Patrick s Cathedral" Impressionist Snow Street Scene Oil on Canvas Board

By Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972

Located in New York, NY

A stunning and pertinent example of Berthelsen's charming New York City winter scenes depicting St. Patrick's Cathedral in the snow. St. Patrick’s Cathedral is the largest Roman Cath...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Canvas, Oil, Board

"St. Patrick
s Cathedral" Impressionist Snow Street Scene Oil on Canvas Board

Johann Berthelsen, 1883-1972
"St. Patrick s Cathedral" Impressionist Snow Street Scene Oil on Canvas Board, Mid-20th Century

$8,000

"Point Pleasant" Bucks County New Hope PA River Snow Scene Oil Painting Framed

Located in New York, NY

A wonderful Impressionist winter pastoral scene of colorful quaint homes by the river. Willet has portrayed this piece in a most intimate, yet energetic way, and has packed much feel...

Category

20th Century American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board, Canvas

"Point Pleasant" Bucks County New Hope PA River Snow Scene Oil Painting Framed

Christopher Willett
"Point Pleasant" Bucks County New Hope PA River Snow Scene Oil Painting Framed, 20th Century

$2,500

"West Village Coffee Stop" Oil Painting of a Plein Air Street NYC with Figures

By Cindy Shaoul

Located in New York, NY

"With shades of Pierre Bonnard’s Parisian street vistas and Edward Hopper’s New York shopfronts, American impressionist Cindy Shaoul’s oil paintings depict the much-loved locales and...

Category

2010s American Impressionist Landscape Paintings

Materials

Oil, Board, Canvas

"West Village Coffee Stop" Oil Painting of a Plein Air Street NYC with Figures

Cindy Shaoul
"West Village Coffee Stop" Oil Painting of a Plein Air Street NYC with Figures, 2021

$1,600

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed

More Ways To Browse

Oil Painting Central Park

Nyc Central Park Paintings

Picnic Oil Painting

Still Life Oil Painting Valuable

Texas Hill Country Painting

Berkeley Painting

Canadian Art Quebec

Cote Oil Painting

Hart Oil Paintings

Indian Landscape Painting

Mid Century Sailboat Art

Naval Paintings

View All Popular Landscape Paintings Searches