Jasper Cropsey was educated as architect, but initially trained in painting, then studied at the National Academy of Design. After traveling through Europe (1847-1849), including France, Italy and Switzerland, he lived in London from 1855 for seven years. Upon his return to the United States, Cropsey opened a studio in New York and was engaged in landscape painting.

 Jasper Francis Cropsy became one of the most prominent representatives of the Hudson River School. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Design in 1851.

His former home and studio, Ever Rest in Hastings-on-Hudson in Westchester County, contains much of Cropsy's work and now is a museum. Other of his works can be seen at the National Gallery of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Los Angeles Art Museum.