The Portrait Miniature Revival, 1890-1930

The Portrait Miniature Revival, 1890-1930

DISMISSED YET DISARMING: THE PORTRAIT MINIATURE REVIVAL, 1890-1930 A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Fine Arts of Ohio University In partial fulfillment Of the requirements for the degree Master of Fine Arts Maryann Sudnick Gunderson November 2003 This thesis entitled DISMISSED YET DISARMING: THE 20TH CENTURY PORTRAIT MINIATURE REVIVAL BY MARYANN SUDNICK GUNDERSON Has been approved for the School of Art and the College of Fine Arts Jody Lamb Associate Professor of Art History Raymond Tymas-Jones Dean, College of Fine Arts GUNDERSON, MARYANN S. MFA. November 2003. Art History Dismissed yet Disarming: The Portrait Miniature Revival, 1890-1930 (112pp.) Director of Thesis: Jody Lamb The portrait miniature revival is examined regarding contemporary influences and artists, during the period c. 1890-1930. Modern influences, including the philosophies of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau, are defined in context of the miniature. The fine arts of John Singer Sargent’s portraiture, as well as the abstraction and color of Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas, are revealed as instrumental in altering the style of the revival miniature. Photography is examined for its influence versus eclipse of the miniature. The miniaturist’s environment is found to be highly significant, as the city of New York provided constant immersion in art societies, exhibitions, and studio residences where artists coexisted while creating new styles. Focus is on the works of miniaturists Eulabee Dix and Laura Coombs Hills. Patronage is found to be highly supportive of the portrait miniature and essential to an understanding of why the miniature was revived during the period. Approved: Jody Lamb Associate Professor of Art History To my husband, Steve, whose love and support have been limitless. Acknowledgements This thesis was completed because of the assistance of many organizations and individuals. The fact that such a minor art form could be addressed demonstrates the open-mindedness of those in Art History Department of Ohio University. Dr. Jody Lamb can be credited with seeing the possibilities behind the mystery of the Miniature Revival. He provided many months of guidance, which allowed me to reach my destination. Dr. Kuiyi Shen and Dr. Sharran Parkinson provided timely committee feedback, approaching the topic with genuine interest. For this I am indebted. A number of institutions and scholars assisted with the research for this thesis. Jordan Love and Selina Bartlett of the Worcester Museum of Art, and Courtney Peterson of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, were instrumental in allowing access to extensive files as well as first-hand observation of the Revival miniatures themselves. Similarly, the files of the late Lewis Hoyer Rabbage, now housed at the Worcester Museum of Art, broadened my understanding of the miniaturist’s intention. I also wish to thank Jo Ann Ridley, who published the life of Eulabee Dix, the true heart to such a revival. Finally, I want to acknowledge the support of family and friends. My husband edited in grand fashion and never forgot me during my time away. My family condoned my busy schedule, cheering me through the more difficult periods. Anne Bolen guided me through the research and writing phases with grace. The spirit of these individuals, as well as guidance from God, allowed this thesis to come to fruition. I am truly honored, grateful, and thankful for my time as a student of the portrait miniature. 6 Table of Contents Abstract................................................................................................................................3 Dedication............................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgements..............................................................................................................5 List of Figures......................................................................................................................7 Introduction..........................................................................................................................9 Chapter 1. History and Techniques to 1890.......................................................................13 Chapter 2. Contemporary influences on the Portrait Miniature.........................................28 Chapter 3. The Socio-Economic Status of the Portrait Miniature .....................................73 Conclusion. The Revival Miniature ................................................................................101 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................105 7 List of Figures Figure page 1. Charles Wilson Peale. Mrs. Walter Stewart.............................................................14 2. Charles Fraser. Det. Of Francis Kinloch Huger......................................................16 3. attributed to William Lovett. Rebecca and Debra Hovey........................................17 4. Hans Holbein the Younger. Elizabeth, Lady Audley ...............................................18 5. Nicholas Hilliard. Elizabeth I ..................................................................................20 6. John Singleton Copley. Reverend Samuel Fayerweather .......................................22 7. Anne Hall. Unknown Lady ......................................................................................23 8. Unknown photographer, Unidentified woman and child ........................................25 9. Louis Comfort Tiffany. Three-panel folding screen ...............................................32 10. Laura Coombs Hills. The Bride ............................................................................33 11. Laura Coombs Hills. The Nymph ..........................................................................34 12. Laura Coombs Hills. The Black Mantle ................................................................35 13. Alphonse Mucha. Bodice ornament ......................................................................38 14. John Singer Sargent. Ena & Betty, Daughters of Asher & Mrs. Wertheimer .......40 15. Eulabee Dix. The Sisters .......................................................................................42 16. John Singer Sargent. Mrs. Fiske Warren and her Daughter Rachel .....................43 17. John Singer Sargent. Sir George Sitwell, Lady Ida Sitwell and Family ...............45 18. Eulabee Dix. Philip Dix Becker as a Baby of Six Months ....................................46 19. Eulabee Dix. Philip Dix Becker ............................................................................47 20. Mary Cassatt. Spring: Margot Standing in a Garden ...........................................48 21. Eulabee Dix. Horace Philip Dix III ......................................................................50 22. Joseph Decamp. Blue Bird ....................................................................................52 23. Leila Waring. Afternoon Tea (A Cup of Tea, Dorothy Waring) ...........................53 24. Eulabee Dix. Mark Twain .....................................................................................55 25. Edgar Degas. Seated Woman ................................................................................56 26. Mary Cassatt. Margot in Orange Dress ................................................................57 27. Eulabee Dix. Joan and Dix ...................................................................................59 28. Eulabee Dix. Mrs. Harriet Cowles .......................................................................60 29. Thomas W. Dewing. The Evening Dress ..............................................................61 30. Gertrude Kasebier. The Bride ...............................................................................65 31. Gertrude Kasebier. Dorothy Trimble Tiffany ........................................................66 32. Laura Coombs Hills. Margaret Curzon Hale .......................................................67 33. Laura Coombs Hills. Dorothy Stevens ..................................................................68 34. Gertrude Kasebier. Eulabee Dix ...........................................................................70 35. Eulabee Dix. Gertrude Kasebier ...........................................................................71 36. Charles Dana Gibson. Gibson Girl .......................................................................74 37. Pennsylvania Society Miniature Painters Annual salon photograph ....................80 38. Laura Coombs Hills. Persis Blair..........................................................................83 39. Eulabee Dix. Photograph of Countess of Warwick ...............................................84 40. John Singer Sargent. Lady Warwick and Her Son ................................................85 8 41. Eduard J. Steichen. J. Pierpont Morgan, Esq ......................................................89 42. Gallery fifteen, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, exhibition of the Morgan collection......................................................................................................................90 43. John Sloan. Yeats at Petitpas.................................................................................94 44. Robert Henri. Lady in Black Velvet ......................................................................95 45. Eulabee Dix in her Carnegie Hall

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