Courtesy photo William R. Davis

MILFORD – Those tempted to peek behind a canvas to ascertain the absence of a shaft of sunlight drawn from a hidden window and portrayed in oils upon the work of art on view will be dissuaded.

The artists who conjured up the works thus illuminated and others of more muted tones used paint, skill and imagination.

More than 50 of those oil paintings now are shared with the public in a newly opened exhibition, “Light and Brush: Luminous and Tonal Paintings from the 19th century to Present,” on view now through March 2025 at the New Hampshire Antique Co-op, 323 Elm Street in Milford.

“This show was wonderful to put together and we were lucky to garner some exemplary works from some important collections,” said Jason Hackler, owner of New Hampshire Antique Co-op.”You’ll see the Fitz Henry Lane ship portrait and the William Frederick De Haas rendering of a sunset on the Maine coast, among others.”

Hackler today heads the family business founded in 1983 as a group shop accommodating regional antique dealers of period furniture, artwork and jewelry, along with sculpture, Americana and other wares.

Courtesy photo William Frederick De Haas

Luminism, he notes, which emerged in the mid-19th century, emphasizes the sublime beauty of nature through glowing scenes, smooth brushwork and radiant light that captures tranquil, serene views.

In contrast, Tonalism, a late 19th century movement, evokes mood and introspection with muted tones, soft colors, subtle shadows and atmospheric effects. Together, these styles offer a contemplative look at the timeless relationship between light, shadow and landscape, he added.

Jim George, online sales manager for New Hampshire Antique Co-op and a resident of Milford, elaborated during a recent guided tour.

“Visitors will see a collection never presented in a show together,” George said. “Luminous artists use light to create a mood while tonalist painters will display a more consistent palette of muted colors over the entire work.”

More than 200 dealers offering their specialties are ensconced at New Hampshire Antique Co-op, awarded “Best of New England” by Yankee Magazine and “Best of New Hampshire” by New Hampshire Magazine.

Courtesy photo Fitz Henry Lane

More information on the activities and exhibitions presented at the New Hampshire Antique Co-op, open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but closed on Mondays, can be found online at nhantiquecoop.com. Contact by phone at 603-673-8499.

Jim George, a Milford resident and online sales manager for New Hampshire Antique Co-op on Elm Street in Milford, displays a powerful landscape with sheep and cattle painted by Boston-born artist George Loring Brown, displayed now as one of 50 paintings on exhibit that are a part of the newly launched “Light and Brush: Luminous and Tonal Paintings from the 19th century to Present” collection, on view daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Mondays through March of 2025. Photo by LORETTA JACKSON

Courtesy photo Erik Koeppel