The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-11-20
Obituary.


The patrons of American will learn with regret the
death OF this distinguished painter which took place
Wednesday last at his residence in West Hobok-n, n j.
Mr. RAxsHr was a self made man, having risen to emf
F. through difficulties that would have crushed the
spirit OF aspirans artistic fame lie born
Connecticut and alter the death OF his parents adopt
ed by uncie residing in North Carolina. The latter
however, not live long enough TO any material
inluesoe young Ranney's fortunes. He died when
the subject OF notice in his twelfth year. and the
youth being left without any provision, apprentcod
10 blacksmith In this occupation like Quentin Ms.zys
he began devcope his artistic tastes Passonatly fond
OF rural seeenery and of the study OF nature, the acct
dental sight OF clever sketches OF the surrounding
country awakened in him the desire TO the pencil
Having saved q little money at the ago Of twenty one
he his way New York in tho hope that he would
there the opportunity of cuvang his tastes. DIS
appointed In his expectations, from the slender
patronage which time afforded vo,aries
az art he entered AN architect fce where the facility
be had acquired with his pencil brought him the means Of
support He however tired OF this moootonous de-
votson geometrcl lines, and onged for the pure At
rncsphcre ard freedom the country life which he had
been accustomed When the between Texas and
Mexico broke he made his way 10 Austin AMI offered
his services volunteer to General Houston There, In
intervals Of his military duties he Jed his artistic
studies under the bright atmosphere and amid the wild
scenery of that sunny region II the sketches that
he made in his Texas campaigns that furnished tho sub
cc Of chose vigorous and glowing pictures OF frontier
life 10 which he owed his subsequent celebrity. When
Texas had established her independence, Mr.. lnney re-
turned New York with the view OF pursuing art as his
future profession Shortly after hts arrival he married
and scled down in West Hoboken, where he produced
most OF tho pictures which have established for him
so high q rank amongst American art SITS. Many Of these
have been and sersay admired for their
spirited and vigorous dehncatons of American prairie
life There Is scarcely print shop in of the European
cities where copies Of these engravings are not to be
found Mr. Ranney, unlike most American artists thought
that own country afforded objects sufficiently worthy
Of illustration without hts being compelled TO seek abroad
subjects for hts pencil For this hs memory
be honorcd and hts works priced tho productions OF
purely native genius lie protested no higher ambition
than that OF being American painter, representing
American subjects strictly national spirit and in this
has thoroughly succeeded Unfortunately, the
assduty with which he devoted himself 10 his artistic
studies coon broke constitution at any time
very strong and after illness Of nearly three years he
has fallen victim 10 that fell malady Of our climate con
sumption. Mr. Rsnney IN his forty firth year, and
leaves wife and family of children but sicnsery pro-
vlded for II u to he hoped that the patriotism which
only houors genius when has passed away will do some
thing towards manifestng its posthumous gratitude
towards the memory Of this distinguish artist