“Niagara”
Today’s piece is considered the finest work created by the talented Louis Rémy Mignot; another artist who was highly respected during his lifetime, but whose memory rapidly faded after his sudden death.
This grand oil on canvas painting, titled “Niagara”, was created in 1866 by the American Hudson River School of Art artist, Louis Rémy Mignot, just four years before his untimely death and is considered his masterpiece.
The Niagara Falls have been an American icon since the earliest days of the tourism industry in the 18th century. The falls were a common subject for serious artists looking to show their talent and worth. This piece was painted by Mignot just after the close of the Civil War while he was temporarily residing in London, England. It depicts the world renown falls from an unusual vantage point, in looking towards the Canadian side of the falls.
Mignot’s art is known for its colors and atmospheric quality, and this gorgeous painting reinforces that reputation. “Niagara” is thought to be his final piece. While visiting France in 1870, Mignot found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. During the Siege of Paris in the Franco-Prussian War, Mignot was mistakenly imprisoned. While in detainment, he contracted smallpox, and though he moved to England for treatment, the smallpox ultimately killed him.
After his death in 1870, Mignot’s work fell out of the public eye. This painting was uncatalogued and stored in the Brooklyn Museum for over a century before it was rediscovered. In the late 1990’s, “Niagara” was restored and has been on display since.
“Niagara” is currently on display at the Brooklyn Museum in Brooklyn, New York.
For more on Louis Rémy Mignot, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
