Ernest Nathaniel Townsend [1893-1945]
American
The farm house, ca.1930s
Oil on board
8 x 10 inches
Signed at lower left : ‘ERNEST / NATHANIEL TOWNSEND’.

Ernest Nathaniel Townsend [1893-1945]
A landscape and coastal scene easel painter, muralist, book designer, teacher and illustrator, Ernest Townsend was a student at the Mechanics’ Institute*, National Academy of Design* and Art Students League* in New York City. He lived in New York City and Norwalk, Connecticut.

At the National Academy in 1927, he first exhibited work, which was three graphic pieces that were scenes from operas. From then on, since graphics were seldom exhibited at the Academy, he was represented by landscapes and coastal scenes, the latter which were the most popular. Some of them reflected his visits to the coasts of Maine and Nova Scotia.

Townsend did book illustrations for Goodbye Mr. Chips by James Hilton, and Compleat Angler and The American Scene by Izaac Walton.

Memberships included Salmagundi Club*; Yonkers Art Association; Allied Art Association*; American Artists Professional League* and American Watercolor Society*

Among his exhibition venues were the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts* annual, 1927 (seascapes); Salmagundi Club, 1938 (prize); Art Institute of Chicago.

Sources:
– David Dearinger, Editor, Paintings and Sculpture in the Collection of the National Academy of Design
– Peter Hastings Falk, Editor, Who Was Who in American Art