Harry A. Vincent (1861-1931)

Hayley Lever was a prominent Australian-American Impressionist painter, etcher, art teacher, and lecturer best known for his vibrant marine scenes, landscapes, and urban views of early 20th-century America.

Born in 1876 in Bowden, South Australia, Lever demonstrated early talent in painting at Prince Alfred College, where he studied under the noted artist James Ashton. He continued his training at Ashton's Norwood art school before traveling to England in 1899 to advance his artistic career. Lever settled in St. Ives, Cornwall, then a thriving art colony famous for its marine painting tradition, where he honed his skills alongside other leading artists.

In 1911, American Impressionist Ernest Lawson encouraged Lever to move to the United States, suggesting that he would find greater success there. Lever arrived in New York City in 1912 and began painting iconic urban landscapes including Times Square, Central Park, and Hudson River views. He also spent several summers painting in Gloucester and Marblehead, Massachusetts, capturing the character of New England's harbors and fishing villages.

From 1919 to 1931, Lever taught at the prestigious Art Students League of New York, influencing a new generation of American artists. He also maintained a studio in Gloucester and painted extensively throughout the East Coast, including Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and the Canadian Maritimes. Later in life, Lever lived in Caldwell, New Jersey, and then Mount Vernon, New York, while continuing to paint landscapes, marine scenes, and still lifes. His travels also took him to Florida, Nova Scotia, Grand Manan Island, and The Bahamas, where he explored new light and color in his work.

Lever received numerous awards and critical recognition during his lifetime. His work is held in major museum collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), The Phillips Collection and Corcoran Gallery of Art (Washington, D.C.), and many others. Today, Hayley Lever is celebrated as a leading figure in 20th-century American Impressionism and one of the finest marine painters of his generation.