Daniel Ridgway Knight

American, 1839-1924

Daniel Ridgway Knight was an American painter best known for his detailed depictions of rural life, often featuring peasant women in pastoral settings. Born in Pennsylvania, he studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before continuing his training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Charles Gleyre, a path common among American artists seeking classical instruction in the 19th century. 

Knight settled in France, where he developed a style marked by careful composition, natural light, and a focus on everyday labor. His work resonated with both French and American audiences, aligning with the period’s appreciation for idealized views of the countryside. 

Though rooted in academic tradition, Knight’s paintings reflect an attentiveness to gesture and place, offering a vision of rural life that found lasting appeal in both private and institutional collections.