The Stunning Landscape In North Carolina That Appears As Though It Was Ripped From A Henry Ossawa Tanner Painting

It is not unusual for artists to imitate life, especially after witnessing this breathtaking landscape in North Carolina. Three Top Mountain in Creston appears as though it was painted by Henry Ossawa Tanner. Born in Pittsburgh, on June 21, 1859, this painter was the first African-American artist to receive international acclaim for his stunning portrayals of landscapes and Biblical themes, making him one of the most important artists of the 19th century. Tanner died at his home in Paris on May 25, 1937. See how his paintings of the mountain landscapes in Highlands, North Carolina look similar to the amphibolite mountain group, a mountain chain containing a calcium-rich rock that includes Elk Knob, Snake Mountain, Mount Jefferson, and Bluff Mountain, which can be viewed from the Three Top Mountain Trail.

At age 13, Tanner was inspired to become an artist after watching a painter in Fairmount Park.

In 1880, he was the only African American student at Philadelphia’s prestigious Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts when he studied under Thomas Eakins, an artist and fine arts teacher.

"Mountain Landscape, Highlands North Carolina" 1889

In the summer of 1888, Tanner moved to Highlands, North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains and studied their majestic ruggedness.

Three Top Mountain Trail is a difficult 4.1-mile out-and-back trail with pretty views all the way up.

But nothing like the prize of the award-winning view at the top.

"Mountain Landscape, Highlands, North Carolina" 1889

In the early 1890s, Tanner enrolled in the Academie Julian where some of his teachers included Jean-Paul Laurens and Jean Joseph Benjamin-Constant.

While the trail is steep and very rocky, and not very well-marked or well-traveled, this view makes it all worthwhile.

"Mountain Landscape, Highlands North Carolina" 1889

In 1927, Tanner became the first African American to become a full academician of the National Academy of Design.

We think the spring blooms are especially lovely at 1,414 feet in the air.

This property is on Three Top Mountain Gameland, so wear orange or bright clothes while hiking.

"Adoration of the Golden Calf" 1895

Tanner made many trips to the Holy Land, which inspired his first one-man exhibition of religious paintings in the U.S. in 1908 at the American Art Galleries in New York.

The steep elevation and 360-degree views are especially gorgeous at sunset.

"Landscape in Moonlight" 1913

In later years, Tanner received many honors and awards for his work, including France's highest honor as an honorary chevalier of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

The trail is muddy and slick in some places, and especially cold in the winter, but the covering of frosty ice is stunning.

Find this breathtaking landscape in North Carolina on the AllTrails website; and who knows, you may be the next artist to win awards for your inspiring paintings. Look for some reproductions of Henry Ossawa Tanner's art on Etsy.