White Mountain art refers to a specific art movement that flourished in the 19th century, mostly from 1820 to 1875. It encompasses a wide body of landscape paintings created by over 400 artists, some famous, some virtually forgotten and unknown. But all were captivated by the beautiful scenery of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. 

These landscapes typically depicted often snow-capped mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, and serene lakes, portrayed in a picturesque romanticized style. Some consider White Mountain art an extension of the Hudson River School style, characterized by grand scale, detailed realism and dramatic lighting.

One such painter whose work didn’t always fit the classical definition of White Mountain art was Frank Henry Shapleigh (1842–1906). He was born in Boston and studied there at the Lowell Institute of Drawing. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the Union army and served until 1863. He then studied in Paris, France, under Emile Lambinet, and upon returning, opened a studio in Boston. It wasn’t until 1869 that he visited the White Mountains, and began establishing the body of work for which he is best remembered. 

Here is a rather atypical Shapleigh oil on canvas composition, in that it does not show New Hampshire’s White Mountains in all their verdant splendor. But it is one of his few winter scenes, a semi-folky rendition of a procession of horse-drawn sleds, presumably heading for a Sunday worship session at the church on top of the hill. It sold at auction for $7320. Along with it came a copy of an 1878 Boston Post newspaper article referring to the painting, reading “the composition of which is novel and decidedly pleasing….” Photo courtesy of Barridorf Galleries.

This Shapleigh oil on panel displayed a crisp and brilliantly lit view of Mt. Chocorua, New Hampshire, done from one of his favorite perspectives, framed by a dimly lit barn interior. It is signed on the front and clearly identified on the back as “Mt. Chocorua from Old Barn in Eaton, N. H. / by / F. H. Shapleigh,” It sold at auction for a strong $11,115. Photo courtesy Thomaston Place Auction Galleries.

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