Hudson Kitchell (American, 1862-1944) oil on canvas landscape painting, depicting a grove of trees with clearing illuminated by glowing light, center. Signed and dated 1926 lower left. Period, likely original giltwood frame with brass plaque engraved with artist's name. Sight – 15 1/2" H x 21 1/2" W. Framed – 29" H x 35" W. Provenance: the estate of Stanley Horn, Nashville, Tennessee, by descent in his family to current consignor. Biography: New Jersey born Hudson Kitchell is known primarily for his haunting landscapes and forest scenes. His distinctive work is often compared to -and mistaken for- that of the Tonalist master, Ralph A. Blakelock. The two men became friends when both worked as contract painters at a Newark art factory, but Blakelock soon achieved greater commercial success. In the 1920s, Kitchell admitted to supplying dozens of paintings to Young Gallery in Chicago, which was accused of passing them off as Blakelock's work (although Kitchell said he signed his own name to the works). Kitchell died in poverty in 1944. Nearly four decades later, there was a renewed interest in his work that culminated in retrospectives at the Barnwell Museum (1980) and the Anderson County, S.C. Arts Council (1981). (source: Askart, The Artists' Bluebook, and The Unknown Night: The Madness and Genius of R.A. Blakelock by Glyn Vincent. CONDITION: Overall craquelure, yellowed varnish, 2 1/2" area of tenting lower right corner. Frame is fragile and brittle with scattered chips on all sides, up to 1".