Silver Lake, Brighton
John Hafen (Utah, 1856–1910)
Oil on Canvas
16 x 20 in.
Circa 1885
John Hafen, a celebrated Utah artist, was a key figure in the development of fine arts in the American West. Born in Switzerland, Hafen immigrated to Utah as a child and showed early promise as an artist. He trained at the Académie Julian in Paris on an "art mission" funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he refined his techniques in landscape and portrait painting. His works are known for their spiritual depth, atmospheric light, and meticulous attention to nature.
Silver Lake, Brighton portrays the serene beauty of Silver Lake, located in the Brighton area of Utah's Wasatch Mountains. The painting captures the reflective stillness of the lake surrounded by towering pines and majestic mountain peaks, evoking a sense of tranquility and reverence for nature. Hafen’s delicate brushwork and mastery of light imbue the scene with both realism and poetic sentimentality.
Provenance: This painting is part of the Dougal Collection and has a unique history. It was traded by Hafen to his family grocer in exchange for food to support his family during his art mission in Paris, reflecting the sacrifices he made to pursue his artistic aspirations.
Hafen’s work is revered for its ability to convey both the physical and spiritual beauty of the natural world, leaving a lasting legacy in Utah’s artistic heritage.
