Frederick Spang studied painting in Philadelphia until he enlisted and served in the 15th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War, along with his brother William, also an artist.
After the war, Spang resumed his painting career in Reading. He was known for his portraits, along with his fine paintings of still lifes, landscapes, and animals. Here, Spang depicts a pastoral scene near Neversink Mountain in Reading. This popular scene was also painted in 1871 by Spang’s contemporary J. Heyl Raser.