Riverside Drive and 72nd Street

Hayley Lever (born Richard Hayley Lever) was an Australian-American painter, etcher, lecturer, and art teacher. Born in Australia in 1875, he showed early talent and traveled to London to study art in 1900 before moving to America a decade later.

Upon arriving in New York City, Lever painted views of the Hudson River, Times Square, Central Park, and other scenes. His painting style has been described as "spontaneous and bold." His circle of friends included fellow artists Ernest Lawson, Robert Henri, William Glackens, John Sloan, and George Bellows. Lever often exhibited with this group, but eventually left New York to settle in Massachusetts.

During his lifetime, Lever exhibited at The National Arts Club, National Academy of Design, Philadelphia Watercolor Club, Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Art Institute of Chicago, and other institutions. He received several awards and prizes from The National Arts Club prior to his death in 1958.