Born in Amsterdam in 1835, Thors became a landscape painter who often focused on trees, creating a haven within an arbor in golden and warm brown hues, sometimes with a reflective lake or stream nearby. Many of his paintings expose a tranquil solitude that magnifies as you study the image. On occasion there is a solitary figure (usually male although a female will appear) caught strolling along a hidden path. I’ve researched quite a few of Thors paintings and they feel like a meditation in nature, on a clear, exquisite day.
I confess I haven’t always been a big fan of landscapes but recently I’ve been gravitating to them. No particular reason other than I need the harmony they offer. In this crazy world where there’s an emotional assault everywhere you turn, it’s nice to rest upon a path in the middle of nowhere you know.
Thor moved to London early on in his life with a wife and began a family. Relocating to the Midlands might have propelled him to lean into the rustic, open landscapes that dominated his paintings. The Midlands was the hub of the 19th century industrial revolution which led to being called the Black Country
Not much is known of Joseph Thors although he exhibited widely and managed to have a prolific output of work.
The gold frame is original and has seen better days. Never the less, I love a frame with a story to tell, a few chips be damned!
