About the artist:

Born on New Year’s Day near New York City to the family of prominent merchants, Stevens showed an early affinity for art and an attraction to the nearby Hudson Valley. He was particularly encouraged by his mother, a concert pianist of some note. Oil paintings from the 1890’s, while he was still a teenager are extant. Like the earlier Gauguin, he began his financial career as a NYC stockbroker. A life-long bachelor, Stevens became lost in his art. He devoted more and more time to walking and painting the counties of upstate New York where the family homestead was soon established. Reluctant to exhibit, Stevens occasionally permitted local Historical Societies to show his work. He also completed a series of major sketches and accompanying paintings of historical houses in the Hudson Valley. These became of great interest. Several survive and have never before been on the art market. Stevens painted his whole life. Sadly, after more than half a century of creatively reflecting his impressionistic views of rural life, he fell ill and spend his remaining years in a nursing home.