Printmaker Biographies

Julian Alden Weir

(1852–1919)

“The Stone Bridge” by Julien Alden Weir

Julian Alden Weir was an American painter and printmaker who helped define the American Impressionist movement.

Born in West Point, New York, Weir was the son of artist Robert Walter Weir and studied at the National Academy of Design before training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Initially skeptical of Impressionism, Weir gradually embraced its principles, adapting the style to suit his interest in serene landscapes and intimate domestic scenes.

A founding member of the Ten American Painters, Weir’s work is characterized by its soft palette, gentle brushwork, and harmonious compositions.

Weir also excelled as a printmaker, using etching and drypoint to capture the quiet beauty of rural New England. His prints, such as The Fishing Party and The Old Bridge, reveal his sensitivity to light and texture, as well as his keen eye for detail.

Like many artists of the etching revival, Weir helped elevate the medium’s status in the United States, drawing attention to its artistic possibilities. Weir’s contributions to American art extended beyond his work; he was a dedicated teacher and advocate for the arts, helping to establish the modern printmaking tradition in the United States.