Library

The artists represented in the Allis' library are all mid-nineteenth century Hudson River School artists who celebrated the American landscape and painted it with a sense of awe and majesty. The painters are George Inness, brothers Thomas and Edward Moran, Ralph Albert Blakelock, and John F. Murphy. Inness is known for the smoothness he imparts to his tamed countryside landscapes. The Morans had a special talent for painting light, with Edward known for his maritime paintings and Thomas his paintings of the Rocky Mountains. The self-taught Blakelock sold paintings in his day that fetched the most any American painter received for his artwork. This led to many Blakelock forgeries, and he still may be the most forged artist in America.

The bookcases are filled with Charles’ art books, sets of encyclopedias, and many first editions. Nestled in the corner is a built-in desk, which was quite innovative for the time. The woodwork in the Library is Honduran mahogany, and the fireplace is Lake Superior sandstone. The walls are covered with a port-wine colored, embossed leather wall covering. To the east, through the French doors, is a small outdoor porch.

Photography by Kevin Miyazaki.