MILFORD – New Hampshire Antique Co-op presents Snowbound: Winter Landscapes from the 19th c. to Present, an exhibit and sale of paintings capturing centuries of the rugged snow-covered beauty of New England and beyond in the heart of winter.

All are welcome to attend a wine and cheese opening reception on Sunday, November 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Upstairs Gallery at New Hampshire Antique Co-op. Enjoy a fall afternoon of art, antiques, refreshments and camaraderie as we look forward to the holidays and winter season ahead.

This fine art exhibit and sale of paintings features works by noted nineteenth and twentieth century artists Paul Starrett Sample (1896-1974), Samuel S. Carr (1837-1908), Walter Launt Palmer (1854-1932), Paul Bernard King (1867-1947), Antonio Cirino (1889-1983), William Closson (1848-1926), Aldro Hibbard (1886-1972), Birge Harrison (1854-1929), Emile Albert Gruppe (1896-1978), Robert Emmett Owen (1878-1957), Arthur Clifton Goodwin (1864-1929) and more. The exhibit also includes contemporary New England artists Erik Koeppel, William R. Davis and Dave Dodge.

Winter painting “en plein air” presents wonderful opportunities and unique challenges to artists. From brisk blue-sky days to blinding blizzards, the invigorating snow-covered scenery holds tremendous appeal for artists to capture nature’s beauty.

For nineteenth century artists and contemporary artists, there are not only cold temperatures to contend with – which can mean frozen stiff fingers leading to limited dexterity – but there are also issues of paint and other art supplies freezing, paint not drying, and frozen brushes. Oil paints become less malleable, and we all know the saying “oil and water (snow in this case) don’t mix.” Contemporary artists can avail themselves to today’s high-tech cold weather gear to somewhat help brave the bitter temperatures. Nineteenth century artists would layer up in wool, fur and make-shift contraptions, such as “The Hibbard Mitten,” a term coined by Aldro Hibbard’s invention of wearing layered socks on his hands and poking his paintbrush through the wool.

Getting to the painting locations in the winter is also a challenge for en plein air artists. Weather conditions make driving to remote locations difficult, and often artists hike into nature to get to their favorite spots. For the artists of the 1800s, this would’ve been accomplished with horses, sleds, snowshoes or on foot, all while hauling their painting supplies as well as provisions with them. Artists would even catch rides with loggers going deep into the forest.

Understanding these hardships lends a greater appreciation for the fine examples of works on exhibit in Snowbound: Winter Landscapes from the 19th c. to Present, on view from Nov. 10 through March 31, 2020.

New Hampshire Antique Co-op is a destination shop for fine art, period furniture, porcelain, silver, collectibles, jewelry and more. NHAC is one of the largest group antique shops in the state. Established in 1983 by the Hackler family, the shop features more than 200 dealers and 2,000 consignors. The shop is located at 323 Elm St. in Milford.

, New Hampshire, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, please call (603) 673-8499 or visit online at www.nhantiquecoop.com or www.facebook.com/nhantiquecoop.