John White Alexander #johnwhitealexander

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Black and Red (1896)

American artist John White Alexander launched his career as an illustrator for Harper's Weekly, but like other young artists of his generation he advanced his training in Paris. “The Blue Bowl” was shown in Paris and Vienna before appearing at RISD’s annual Autumn Exhibition of 1904. Alexander’s sophisticated style was unique in America, presenting feminine subjects in flattened and asymmetric spaces combined with a fluid technique. More than the Delft bowl of the title, the painting's true subject is the back of the model's gown, spread out as she bends to observe a fallen bloom. Executed with thin washes of color on roughly textured canvas, its sinuous curves and subtle patterning represent the height of Art Nouveau costume, transformed by the artist into an example of daring pictorial design. A woman of fair complexion, her dark hair partially hidden beneath a wide, azure blue headband, has her gaze directed downward at a rather large, shallow bowl containing flowers in her hands. Her posture is slightly bent, suggesting a gentle intimacy with what she holds. Only a small portion of her face is visible; her soft features suggest youthfulness. She is dressed in a long pale-sage gown that drapes beautifully around her slender form. The soft and delicate fabric, with a subtle pattern of scattered pale blue and darker green details, suggestive of flowers or leaves. The gown features a ruffled bodice and falls into many soft folds creating a visually stunning effect of movement and texture. A dark teal or blue sash cinches her waist, adding a touch of color contrast. The canvas is technically a characteristic expression of the method which Alexander adopted to avoid the elaboration of detail which leads to excess of pigment: "using a coarse absorbent canvas and painting with a turpentine or petroleum medium, so that the roughly unglazed surface helps to avoid monotony and heightens the interest of every variation of brush work."

“The Blue Bowl“ by John White Alexander (American) - Oil on canvas / 1898 - Rhode Island School of Design (Providence) #WomanInArt #art #artwork #artText #JohnWhiteAlexander #RISD #AmericanArt #AmericanArtist #BlueskyArt #OilPainting #bskyart #artbsky #PortraitofaWoman #RhodeIslandSchoolOfDesign

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"Peonies," (1896)

John White Alexander #johnwhitealexander

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'The Green Dress' (1890-99)

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Study in Black and Green (1906)

Elizabeth Alexander was the daughter of James W. Alexander, who was introduced to John White Alexander by Joseph Harper because of the similarity of their names. Elizabeth and John were married in 1887, and the following year their only child, James, was born. Elizabeth was an educated, attractive woman who enjoyed the company of painters and writers. This portrait was painted in Alexander’s New York studio in 1902 and immediately a favorite in his November exhibition at Durand-Ruel’s galleries, lauded for its subdued color, flowing line, and grace. It is an evocative figure study in which mood and atmosphere take precedence over likeness. The portrait was painted in a palette of muted moss green, beige, and pinks on a coarse, loosely woven, absorbent canvas to produce a soft, hazy effect. Alexander cast his wife in a somewhat ambiguous, shadowy outdoor setting with dramatic spotlighting on her face and right hand. The strong light shining from below seems quite appropriate due to Elizabeth's interest in the theater including costume and lighting designs. The shadowy illumination heightens a quiet sense of mystery. Despite her independent nature -- in the 1910s, she was active in the women’s suffrage movement -- Mrs. Alexander was portrayed by her husband in this "grand manner portrait" as a fragile beauty. Her billowing gown forms a gentle flowing line, echoing the curves of her hat and the trees and clouds in the background.

Portrait of Mrs. John White Alexander (Elizabeth, daughter of James W. Alexander) by her husband John White Alexander (American) - Oil on canvas / 1902 - Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) #womeninart #art #portrait #style #portraitofawoman #lacma #johnwhitealexander #womensart #americanartist