Draft:Arnold Wydeveld

Arnold Wydeveld (original Dutch name, Arnoldus ) was born on September 1, 1823, in Nijmegen, Holland. His. His parents were Evert Andries van Weydevelt and Hendrina Emmerik. His formative years in the Netherlands likely exposed him to the rich traditions of Dutch art, which would later influence his work.

Migration and early Career
In 1853, Wydeveld immigrated to the United States, settling in New York. This move marked the beginning of his American career, where he initially focused on genre painting, depicting everyday life scenes with a keen eye for detail.

Artistic development
Wydeveld's style evolved as he became best known for his still lifes, particularly of fruit, flowers, and fish. His work was influenced by seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Dutch still life painting, though he also incorporated contemporary European styles into his art.

Notable works and exhibitions
Wydeveld's oeuvre includes a variety of subjects displayed in different formats. His still lifes were not limited to tabletop arrangements but also included natural settings, showcasing his versatility. One of his flower paintings notably includes a hummingbird and an amaryllis, indicating his receptiveness to American artistic themes, akin to those of Martin Johnson Heade. Among other places, he exhibited at the National Academy of Design in New York in 1857 and in 1859–67, 1873, and 1884

Techniques and style
Unlike his contemporaries who often grouped together numerous small objects, Wydeveld's compositions balanced a smaller number of larger forms. His genre paintings and still lifes demonstrate a mastery of composition and color, reflecting his Dutch heritage and American influences. He exhibited at the National Academy under several names including Wyderveld, Wydefield, and Wydefeldt.

Later career and legacy
Although he flourished from 1855–88, Wydeveld continued to paint genre scenes and still lifes throughout his career. His works have been recognized for their contribution to the genre of still life painting in America.

Exhibits
Wyderveld's still lifes were exhibited in prestigious galleries, such as the National Academy in New York, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Brooklyn Art Association.