Martin Johnson Heade
Luminous marshes and tropical birds
Martin Johnson Heade was an American painter known for his salt marsh landscapes, seascapes, and depictions of tropical birds (such as hummingbirds), as well as lotus blossoms and other still lifes. His painting style and subject matter, while derived from the romanticism of the time, are regarded by art historians as a significant departure from those of his peers. Heade was born in Lumberville, Pennsylvania, the son of a storekeeper. He studied with Edward Hicks, and possibly with Thomas Hicks. His earliest works were produced during the 1840s and were chiefly portraits. He travelled to Europe several times as a young man, became an itinerant artist on American shores, and exhibited in Philadelphia in 1841 and New York in 1843. Friendships with artists of the Hudson River School led to an interest in landscape art. In 1863, he planned to publish a volume of Brazilian hummingbirds and tropical flowers, but the project was eventually abandoned. He travelled to the tropics several times thereafter, and continued to paint birds and flowers. His best known works are depictions of light and shadow upon the salt marshes of New England.
Relationship Network
Master student
- Edward Hicks Master
- Thomas Hicks Student
Artworks by this artist (54 total)
- Sudden Shower, Newbury Marshes ca. 1865-75
- Magnolia c.1885-95
- Cattleya Orchid and Three Hummingbirds 1871
- The Great Florida Sunset 1887
- Red Rose and Heliotrope in a Vase (Requited and Unrequited Love) circa 1871-1880
- Apple Blossoms 1880
- Apple Blossoms 1873
- Point Judith, Rhode Island 1867-68
- South American Scene With A Cabin
- Roses and Rosebuds in a Glass circa 1883-90
- Friar’s Head, Campobello 1862
- Giant Magnolias on a Blue Velvet Cloth c. 1890
- Hummingbird and Passionflowers ca. 1875-85
- Orchids And Hummingbirds
- Two Ruby Throats By Their Nest 1862-63
- Red Roses in a Japanese Vase on a Gold Velvet Cloth circa 1885-1890
- Sunlight and Shadow – The Newbury Marshes c. 1871-1875
- Sunset over the Marsh c. 1876-82
- Two Hummingbirds with Their Young ca. 1865
- Tropical Greenery (Tropical Landscape) 1875