Wesley Elbridge Webber (1841 – November 4, 1914) was an American painter known for his marine scenes and landscapes, mainly those of the New England coast. He was a veteran of the American Civil War. His work is held in several major American institutions, including the Brooklyn Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum.
Wesley Webber | |
|---|---|
 American Ships at Sea, Wesley Webber | |
| Born | Wesley Elbridge Webber 1841 Gardiner, Maine, U.S. |
| Died | November 4, 1914 (aged 73) Wollaston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Education | Self-taught |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Hudson River School, White Mountain art |
| Signature | |
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Early life and Civil War service
editWebber was born in Gardiner, Maine. While some sources cite his birth year as 1839,[1] most records and museum entries indicate 1841.[2][3][4][5]
During the American Civil War, Webber served in the 16th Maine Volunteer Infantry. He was present at the surrender of Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House in 1865. His career was established by his Civil War scenes,[4][5] which brought him early recognition. His sketches from the surrender and his illustrations from the Civil War were shown at the Boston Art Club. His work was also published in Harper's Weekly and John Henry Bufford produced a lithograph from his civil war scenes.[2]
Career
editWebber was discharged from service in 1865, and he worked as a carriage painter in Gardiner.[2]
In 1890, Webber was exhibited at the National Academy of Design.[3] Webber maintained a studio in Pemberton Square, and he shared a Boston studio[4][6] with marine painter William Pierce Stubbs. Webber also maintained a shared studio in New York.[1][4][6] Webber's style is often associated with the Hudson River School. He frequently depicted the coastal scenery of Gloucester and Manchester-by-the-Sea. He would summer in Conway where he would paint the White Mountains in the White Mountain art style. John Joseph Enneking, Frank Henry Shapleigh and others would join him to paint.[1]
Collections
editWebber's work is represented in numerous public collections, including:
Personal life and death
editWebber struggled with alcoholism in his later career.[2]
Webber died on November 4, 1914, in his daughter's house in the Wollaston neighborhood of Quincy, Massachusetts.[1][4][5][6]
Gallery
edit
Massachusetts/California/Maine
Moonlight on Long Island Sound
Spectacular painting of boats in harbor on a dreary night
White Mountains, 1870
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 "Wesley Webber (1839-1914)". White Mountain Art & Artists. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Wesley Webber (1841-1914)". J. Russell Jinishian Gallery. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
- 1 2 Campbell, Catherine H. (1985). New Hampshire Scenery: Its Artists and Their Landscapes (PDF). New Hampshire Historical Society. p. 199. ISBN 978-0914659129.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Fielding, Mantle (1986). Opitz, Glenn B. (ed.). Mantle Fielding's Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors & Engravers. Poughkeepsie, N.Y.: Apollo Books. p. 1006. ISBN 978-0938290049.
- 1 2 3 "Webber, Wesley". Benezit Dictionary of Artists. Oxford University Press. 2006. ISBN 978-0-19-977378-7.
- 1 2 3 "Obituary: Wesley Webber". American Art News. 13 (5). American Art News, Inc.: 4 November 7, 1914. Retrieved May 19, 2026 – via HathiTrust.