Art Lovers' Niche - Aug 31, 2020

"Truly Special" – George Hetzel and the Scalp Level School

In the 1860’s, fellow Pittsburgh artist Charles Linford and prominent Pittsburgh attorney John Hampton took George Hetzel on a fishing trip to the mountainous streams of Scalp Level, Pennsylvania. Recognizing the artistic beauty of western and central Pennsylvania, George Hetzel founded the Scalp Level School of 19th century artists. Hetzel exhibited at the National Academy in New York between 1865-1882 and at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art until 1891. He was included in the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia and shown in the first Carnegie International in 1896. He also exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition, 1892-1893. Today, Hetzel’s works are held by Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh/Carnegie Institute; New York Historic Society; The Frick Art & Historical Center; Lowe Art Museum; Philadelphia Museum of Art, Library, and Archives; The Dayton Art Institute; Westmoreland Museum of American Art; and the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art (with a great exhibition of Hetzel and the Scalp Level School coming up!). Just as important are the legacy works of art by Hetzel and other Scalp Level School artists that are held in today’s private collections.

Whether it is a Hetzel painting of Paint Creek (no pun intended!), a unique landscape by Linford, a realistic piece by King, or works by women Scalp Level School artists such as Olive Turney, the Scalp Level School artist’s works are “truly special.” Works by these artists do not become available that often. In summary, we are very proud to offer some of the best representative examples of their tremendous skills as the best-of-the-best regional Pennsylvania artists.