Known as the father of American impressionism, Mathias Joseph Alten was a German-American painter active in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He painted many of the classic scenes of the United States, including a landscape of a snowy landscape. His style is often described as a mixture of realism and expressionism. His paintings capture the essence of a moment in time and have become important art pieces for collectors today.

Born in Germany, Mathias Joseph Alten immigrated to the United States in 1889. His family settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan, which was a leading furniture manufacturing center at the time. After establishing his family and a studio, he continued to create works of art. The city's modernity fueled the artistic growth of the artist. The artist's work is largely influenced by his experiences and the environment of his life.

In his early career, Alten moved from the Netherlands to the United States. He began to paint landscapes, but also branched out into animal and floral subjects. William H. Gerdts describes Alten's style as second-generation Impressionism. He studied at Academie Colarossi and Academie Julian. His paintings were exhibited in museum exhibits as early as 1905. He also won awards for the best figure drawing and painting.