Abbott Handerson Thayer

Abbott Handerson Thayer, born August 12, 1849 in Boston, Massachusetts, was an American artist best known for his angelic figures and landscape paintings. Thayer grew up at a time when the American art scene was beginning to develop its own identity, separate from European traditions. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he learned the techniques of the old masters, which he later integrated into his own unique style. After returning to the United States, he settled in New Hampshire, where the natural beauty of the landscape became a constant inspiration for his works.

Thayer's art is characterized by a deep connection with nature and an almost mystical depiction of the human body. His angel paintings, often interpreted as embodiments of nature spirits, radiate an aura of peace and purity. Thayer was also a pioneer in the field of camouflage in wildlife, working with the American military during World War I to develop camouflage patterns. These aspects of his work reflect his deep interest and respect for the natural world and show how art and science intersect in his work.

Interesting fact:

Abbott Handerson Thayer is considered the "father of camouflage" because he developed the theory of disruptive camouflage long before these concepts were widely used in military camouflage. He published, together with his son Gerald Thayer, the book "Concealing-Coloration in the Animal Kingdom", which played a fundamental role in the development of camouflage techniques, especially during the First World War.

Significant Artworks & Images by Abbott Handerson Thayer:

• Angel, 1887
• Caritas, 1894-1895
• Stevenson Memorial, 1903
• Monadnock in winter, 1904
• Virgin Enthroned, 1891
• A Virgin, 1892-1893
• Young Woman, 1900
• The Blue Bowl, 1909
• Peacock in the Woods, 1907
• Portrait of the Artist's Children, 1887