Andrew Melrose was born in Selkirk, Scotland, in 1836. Although few records exist of his artistic activities prior to the American Civil War, it is believed that he had immigrated to the United States as early as 1856. From 1865 through 1885, he worked from studios in Hoboken and Guttenberg, New Jersey, and during this time he frequently exhibited at the National Academy of Design. He also visited various parts of the United States, Great Britain, and Austria. In 1880 or 1881 Melrose traveled to western North Carolina, which he characterized as "The Land of the Sky." His work reflects his interest in landscapes rendered in a naturalistic, but painterly and romantic style, sometimes including genre details of rural life.

For more information on this artist or the Southern masterworks in our collection, please visit our gallery website.

This essay is copyrighted by the Charleston Renaissance Gallery and may not be reproduced or transmitted without written permission from Hicklin Galleries, LLC.