Charles Furneaux Paintings

Charles Furneaux was an American landscape painter born on August 16, 1835, in Boston, Massachusetts. He is best known for his stunning landscapes of Hawaii, where he moved in the late 19th century, becoming one of the first and most influential painters to capture the island's natural beauty in the medium of oil paint. Before his relocation to Hawaii, Furneaux received his education at the Massachusetts Normal Art School (now Massachusetts College of Art and Design) and also studied in Paris, which was a major center for the arts and the avant-garde in the 19th century. His European studies and travels significantly influenced his artistic development, imbuing his work with the light and color that would later characterize his Hawaiian landscapes.

Furneaux arrived in Hawaii in the 1880s, a period when the islands were undergoing significant political and social changes. He was captivated by the unique quality of light and the vibrant colors of the landscape, elements that became central to his work. He traveled extensively throughout the Hawaiian Islands, painting scenes of daily life, volcanic eruptions, and the lush, tropical vistas that have since become synonymous with the image of Hawaii. His works were among the first to bring the beauty of Hawaii to the attention of the broader American public and were instrumental in shaping the perception of the islands as a paradise on earth.

Despite his important role in Hawaiian art history, Furneaux was also part of a broader movement of artists and writers who were drawn to the exotic appeal of distant lands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work reflects a fascination with the 'other' that was common among many of his contemporaries, yet it also displays a genuine respect and appreciation for the natural beauty and culture of Hawaii. Furneaux continued to paint and exhibit his work until his death on February 9, 1913, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Today, his paintings are held in several public and private collections, serving as a testament to his skill as an artist and his love for the Hawaiian Islands.