Allan Cochran

(1888-1971) 

Cochran was a student of John Carlson first at the Art Students League then later in Woodstock, where he became virtually a permanent resident from 1905 until his death at the age of eighty-two. Biographical information indicates one of the few places he visited outside of Woodstock was Gloucester, where this wonderfully sensitive view of Smith’s Cove, Gloucester Harbor, was executed. I discovered this piece in 1990 at Howard Godel’s in New York. As I recall, Cochran’s distinctive style and palette employed in his Woodstock landscapes, especially snow scenes, were not yet really appreciated. In truth, if this had not been a Cape Ann image, I would not have purchased it, in spite of Howard’s persuasive salesmanship. Since the late 1990s, Cochran’s reputation and appreciation for his work have increased substantially, as have his prices.