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CAPTURING THE WINTER: GUY CARLETON WIGGINS' IMPRESSIONISM

If you are looking to buy antique art of a stunning vintage winter scene to your collection, Guy Carleton Wiggins' impressionistic paintings are a must-see. Guy Carleton Wiggins, an American impressionist painter born in Brooklyn, New York, is most known for his winter paintings featuring snow-covered New York roadways, road signs, and towering skyscrapers amid the city's hustle and bustle. After graduating from the Polytechnic Institute, his father, Carlton Wiggins, worked as a landscape painter and was trained by William Merritt Chase and Robert Henry at the National Academy of Design. While Wiggins was just twenty years old, the Metropolitan Museum of Art bought one of his most iconic pieces,"The Metropolitan Tower," for its permanent collection.He became well-known for his winter vistas of Manhattan skyscrapers, as well as his English rural landscapes. Antique dealers that buy antiques are always on the lookout for unique pieces, and works by Guy Carleton Wiggins are unique.

Guy Carleton Wiggins. Fifth Avenue Storm. 1950 Source: wikipedia

Wiggins created his own painting technique, incorporating brilliant colors into wintry cityscapes while capturing and enhancing the ambient haze. Guy Carleton Wiggins' success as an artist is evident from the fact that two of his paintings are displayed at the White House. He was also a part of Connecticut's Old Lyme Art Colony, where he lived and worked with other renowned artists like Childe Hassam and Frank Vincent Dumont. Apart from his own artistic pursuits, Wiggins also taught painting in New York and Connecticut, cementing his reputation as a successful artist.  Whether you're looking to buy or sell antique paintings, you won't want to miss the opportunity to own a piece by Guy Carleton Wiggins. His impressionistic winter scenes are sure to be the crown jewel of any art collection.

Guy Carlton Wiggins is renowned for his stunning winter landscapes that flawlessly capture the magnificence of snow and ice, unlike any other painter. His paintings often portray the streets of New York City during a snowfall in the winter season. His artworks have become emblematic examples of American Impressionism and are easily recognizable. Wiggins was greatly influenced by two art movements that dominated the late 19th and early 20th centuries - American Tonalism and French Impressionism.

Tonalism, with its muted palette and emphasis on atmospheric effects, was particularly popular among American artists in the late 1800s. Wiggins' father, Carlton Wiggins, was a prominent Tonalist painter, and he probably grew up surrounded by the aesthetic and philosophy of the movement.Wiggins was also inspired by the work of French Impressionists such as Claude Monet and Camille Pissarro, whose vivid and colourful depictions of everyday life marked a significant departure from traditional academic painting. Wiggins spent several years in Paris, studying at the Académie Julian, and was undoubtedly influenced by the city's vibrant art scene. Wiggins' oil paintings capture the essence of winter in a unique and captivating way, making them a popular choice among those looking to buy antique oil paintings. Despite this influence, Wiggins developed his unique artistic voice. He combined the Tonalists' attention to mood and atmosphere with the Impressionists' emphasis on light and colour, creating works that were both moody and vivid. He grew up in New York City, where he was exposed to the severe winters of the Northeast, and he developed an eye for the subtle variations in light and color that occur in snowy landscapes. His winter landscapes are not just static images of snow-covered streets or buildings; they are imbued with a sense of movement and life as if the snow is in motion and the cold air is palpable. Whether you are an avid collector or a casual art admirer, choosing to buy vintage paintings by Guy Carleton Wiggins is a wise investment that will continue to appreciate in value over time.

Guy Carlton Wiggins' winter scenes are striking and unique for many reasons. His deep understanding of the winter landscape, his masterful use of colour, his distinctive brushwork, and his ability to capture a particular moment in time and place all contribute to the enduring appeal of his work. His winter landscapes are a testament to his skill as an artist and his ability to capture the beauty and magic of the world around us.

Cover image: Guy Carleton Wiggins. St. Patrick's in Winter. Circa 1940. Source: guycwiggins