Snow – according to Aldro T. Hibbard

One of my all time favorite American Artists is Aldro Thompson Hibbard (1886-1972). His snowscapes make me want to move to Maine or Vermont, or at least visit and do some painting during the winter months. I absolutely love the way he paints. His work is beautiful in color and composition, harmonious, and comforting. What I wouldn’t give to own an original A.T. Hibbard painting. He inspires me in my own work.

In my ongoing saga of a love/ hate relationship with winter, I would like to embrace our snowy mountain landscape and share some works by American artist Aldro Thompson Hibbard (1886-1972). I came across one of his paintings a number of years ago online, and also saw one featured on the Boston Antiques Roadshow episode (Yes, I am a hopeless Roadshow lover since my mid 30s). Anyway, on the Roadshow, the painting was brought in by Mayor Menino who explained how it was discovered in the attic of a school in Dorchester. It was then appraised for $50,000.

So what merits this high price tag?? As the appraiser explained: “Some artists, when they paint snow, you see white paint,” ….When you look at an Aldro Hibbard, you see snow.” If you look at any number of Hibbard’s winter paintings, I think you will agree. The way he paints every winter scene captures the true essence of the way the sun bounces off the bright white snow, and also the heaviness of the mounds of snow.

Hibbard is the quintessential New England artist. He was born in Falmouth, MA in 1886 and died in Rockport, MA in 1972, where he had moved in 1920. He was a founding member of the Rockport Art Association and a member of the Guild of Boston Artists, the National Academy of Design, and the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts. He studied his craft at the Massachusetts Normal Art School and then received a traveling scholarship from the Boston Museum School of Art. He frequently taught classes and workshops and influenced many more New England artists.

Most of the scenes Hibbard depicts are from New England. He is especially well known for his snowy scenes of the mountains in Vermont. His Vermont paintings are all in oil- Hibbard was a plein-air painter (He painted on site and in real time. Nature was his reference). He knew that any other medium, except maybe pastel, would freeze in the frigid winter months.

Whenever I see his paintings, I see the beauty and stillness of the snow. What do you see?

How much would you love to own one of Hibbard’s paintings?