Daniel Ridgway Knight

Daniel Ridgway Knight (1839–1924), American, Daniel Ridgway Knight, an American artist born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, carved a niche for himself in the art world with his evocative depictions of peasant women in outdoor settings. His artistic journey began at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under the tutelage of Gleyre, followed by private studies with Meissonier, which honed his skills and artistic vision. After 1872, Knight made France his home, establishing a house and studio in Poissy on the Seine, where he immersed himself in the French countryside that would become the backdrop for many of his works.
Knight's talent and dedication to his craft were recognized early in his career, notably at the Paris Salon of 1882, where his painting 'Un Deuil' garnered significant acclaim. His contributions to art were further celebrated with awards such as the silver medal and Cross of the Legion of Honor at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1889, and he was knighted by the Royal Order of St. Michael of Bavaria in 1893. That same year, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts honored him with a gold medal, underscoring his impact on both sides of the Atlantic. Knight's legacy continued through his son, Louis Aston Knight, who also achieved recognition as a landscape painter. Daniel Ridgway Knight's life and work remain subjects of study, with Rehs Galleries, Inc. in New York City conducting the catalogue raisonné research to preserve his artistic heritage.