Daingerfield & The Tonalist Instinct
May 31 - October 19, 2025 | Fort Gallery
Elliot Daingerfield, Landscape, undated, watercolor on paper, 9 1/4 x 10 3/4 inches; Framed: 19 7/8 x 21 1/4 x 2 inches. On loan from The Johnson Collection, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Daingerfield & The Tonalist Instinct explores the development of Tonalism, a distinctly American artistic movement responding to early modernist impulses in painting. Emerging in the latter half of the 19th century, Tonalism was characterized by subtle color harmonies, soft atmospheric effects, and contemplative, mood-driven scenes. Often emphasizing twilight or dawn landscapes, tonalist works evoke introspective, serene, or even ominous atmospheres, prioritizing mood and emotional resonance over detailed realism.
Central to the exhibition is Elliott Daingerfield (1859–1932), one of North Carolina’s most celebrated artists. Daingerfield’s connection to Tonalism is reflected in his expressive interpretations of the Southern landscape, particularly around Blowing Rock, where he summered for over four decades. His art is distinguished by poetic subtlety and spiritual undertones—qualities highly valued by tonalist painters. Although Daingerfield resisted a single or dogmatic approach, Tonalism profoundly shaped his artistic evolution.
Drawing from BRAHM’s permanent collection and loans from private collectors and public institutions, this exhibition contextualizes Daingerfield's work within a broader historical frame. It illustrates not only how Tonalism influenced Daingerfield but also its robust impact on American painters from the post-Civil War era well into the 20th century. In addition to deepening our appreciation of Daingerfield, the exhibition highlights other artists who significantly contributed to the movement’s regional and national resonance.
This exhibition is generously supported by theSamuel M. and Alma Catsman Foundation, managed by Glenn and Eilleen Dempsey
