Louis Aston Knight: A Study of Light and Water
Louis Aston Knight, was the son of the American expatriate artist, Daniel Ridgway Knight. Born in Paris in 1873, Louis, unlike his father, had the privilege to be brought up in a home where he was surrounded by art and music. Raised and educated in Europe, Louis attended the Chigwell School in England for his Liberal Arts Education and began his artistic training, under the guidance of his father. Later he studied formally with the great French Romantic painters, Robert-Fleury and Jules Lefebvre.
In 1894 Aston Knight debuted at the Paris Salon, starting a highly acclaimed career. Among his many awards, he won a Bronze medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1900, an honorable mention at the Paris Salon in 1901, a gold medal in Lyon in 1903, a gold medal in Geneva and in Nantes in 1904 and Gold medals at the Paris Salon in both 1905 and 1906, earning him the title Hors concours as the first American to win two gold medals at the Salon in two consecutive years. Knight, was also made a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1924 becoming an Officer in 1928 and eventually a Commander in 1934.
Louis Aston Knight is most famous for his French landscapes executed in and around his home in Beaumont-le-Roger. Aston looked up to Claude Monet, and visited him from time to time at his home in Giverny. He was particularly impressed with Monet's gardens, and strove to cultivate a garden as beautiful as the master's. Knight also awarded prizes each year to the neighboring peasants who kept the nicest gardens. This ensured him of good models for his cottage landscape paintings.
Gradually Aston Knight became well known in the New York art scene and traveled to the United States many times – painting scenes in New York, Florida and California. In 1911, Knoedler and Co. held an exhibition of his landscapes of the U.S.A. and France. His exhibition at the Levy Gallery in New York, in 1931 attracted much attention. In fact, "Art News" critiqued the show (26 December issue) and described his fame and plein-air approach:
A group of new landscapes by Aston Knight, the popular painter of the Normandy Riverscape, is the Holiday attraction at the Levy Gallery. Mr. Knight sticks closely to his well established formula, doubtless due to the tremendous acclaim acquired in his earlier years when Hopkinson Smith publicized him as the "painter in the high rubber boots" for Mr. Knight was not content with studying the action of the Normandy streams from the comfortable banks.... used to [put] on a pair of waist-high rubber boots and setting up his easel in mid-stream, paint the purling waters at first hand.
Aston Knight was a favorite of American Presidents in his day. In 1922, President Harding purchased Aston Knight’s painting entitled The Afterglow, to hang in the White House. Knight even held a private exhibition at the White House for President Coolidge during his Presidency.
Many of his works have had international acclaim and are housed in the art collections throughout the world, including: the Luxembourg Museum; Musee des Colonies, Paris; the Museum of Fine Arts, Toledo, Ohio and the Delgado Museum, New Orleans.
Exhibitions:
John Levy Galleries, N.Y., Nov. 24 – Dec. 6, n.d.
Knoedler & Co., N.Y., Dec 26, 1911 – Jan 6, 1912
Detroit Museum of Art, March 18 – 30, 1914
Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY, May 1918
Biltmore Salon, L.A., CA., Exhibition of Landscapes by Aston
Knight, January 26 to February 7, 1931
This essay is copyrighted by Rehs Galleries, Inc. and may not be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from Rehs Galleries, Inc.
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A Cottage in the Meadow 25 1/2 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A River Landscape - Fall 32 1/4 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A Summer's Day, La Riviere 21 1/2 x 18 inches Signed and inscribed La Riviere SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Along the River, Beaumont 21 1/2 x 18 inches Signed and inscribed Beaumont SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage by the River 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage by the River, Launay 18 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches Signed SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage Garden, Normandy 25 3/4 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
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![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Diane's Cottage in June 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Garden Bench, Normandy 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) In Full Bloom 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Le Pont Fleuri, Quimperlé 35 x 45 3/4 inches Signed SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Les Vieux Lavoirs, Beaumont 33 x 45 1/2 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Les Vieux Lavoirs, Normandie 25 3/4 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Pink Phlox, Normandie 32 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
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![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Mill Stream 21 3/4 x 18 1/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Along the River, Beaumont-le-Roger 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Blue Cottage 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer Blossoms, St. Gertrude 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed St. Gertrude SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A Beaumont-le-Roger 32 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Beaumont-le-Roger SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage by the River 32 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Risle at Le Riviere Thibouville 21 3/4 x 18 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Old Harbor, Dordrecht, Holland 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Flowers in Bloom 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Charentonne at Serquigny 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage Garden at Martigny 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Beaumont-le-Roger SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer Morning 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage at Launay 18 x 21 1/2 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Little Mill Near Bec Heloin 11 x 14 inches Signed and inscribed Bec Heloin SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Sunlight & Shadow 26 x 60 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
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![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage by the River 21 x 28 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Les Bords de la Risle 21 x 27 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Beaumontel 26 x 60 inches Signed and inscribed Paris; also titled on the stretcher SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A Cote de Riviere 22 x 18 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer Garden 22 x 18 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Walker Cake, Putney 10 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Putney SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Fleur au bord de la Riviere 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A Bend in the River 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) My Mill 18 1/2 x 21 1/2 inches Signed and inscribed Paris $12,000.00 Request More Info Purchase Now |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Along the Seine 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Diane's Cottage 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer Evening, Beaumont 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Beaumont SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Beaumont-le-Roger 32 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Rio St. Aponal, Venice 32 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Apple Blossoms 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Maisonette a Cote de Riviere 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Riverside Farm – South Kortright, N.Y. 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer Garden, Normandy 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer Afternoon, Normandy 35 x 46 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Winding River 35 x 45 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottage by the River 13 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Le Soir, Dordrecht 11 x 18 1/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) La Vieux Lavoir, Normandy 18 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Quiet Corner, a Cottage Near Dieppe 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Long Cottage 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Pont del Angelo, Venice 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer, Beaumont-le-Roger 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Old Mill in Normandy 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The Risle Valley, Normandy 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Brittany Evening 39 x 31 1/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Market Place, Rouen 32 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Rouen SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Market Place, Rouen 21 3/4 x 18 1/4 inches Signed and inscribed Rouen SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Honfleur, France 18 1/4 x 21 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Honfleur SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Summer Flowers 10 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Goupilliere, France 10 1/2 x 13 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Goupilliere SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A Cottage at Goupillieres (Normandy) 18 x 22 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) La Risle a Beaumont-le-Roger 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Garden & Meadow, Normandy, Risle Valley 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Diane's Cottage, Beaumont-le-Roger 26 x 60 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Sur le Soir 32 x 26 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Cottages Along the River 32 x 25 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Risle Valley 26 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Diane's Cottage 10 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Chaumiere, a bord de l'eau 10 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris; also titled on the reverse SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Diane's Cottage 18 1/8 x 21 5/8 inches Signed and inscribed Beaumont-le-Roger SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) Diane's Cottage at Sunset 21 7/8 x 18 3/4 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A Canal in Venice 21 3/4 x 18 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) The End of the Village 25 5/8 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |
![]() Louis Aston Knight (1873 - 1948) A River in Normandy 25 1/2 x 32 inches Signed and inscribed Paris SOLD Request More Info |