Mrs. Hawthorne of Boston has painted many beautiful pieces. An “Edymion,” which was greatly admired, she presented to Mr. Emerson. She also modeled the head of Laura Bridgman. Mrs. Hill is a highly-successful miniature-painter.
Mrs. Greatorex is a landscape-painter of merit, and is rapidly acquiring distinction. She has a deep love of wild mountain and lake scenery, dark woods, and rushing waters; and her productions are marked by the vigor of tone and dashing, impetuous freedom of touch especially adapted to that kind of subjects. This felicitous boldness she has in a remarkable degree, and her works are marked by truthfulness as well as strength. She has painted many pieces of romantic scenery in Scotland and Ireland. Her amiable character, her ready sympathy and benevolence, have interested many friends in her success.
Mrs. George Woodman, the eldest daughter of Mr. Durand, has painted some excellent landscapes; also Mrs. Ruggles. Miss Gove’s crayon heads have been much noticed and admired. Miss Caroline May’s landscapes have proved her claim to the double wreath of artist and authoress. Miss Granbury’s flowers have attracted attention in the Academy exhibitions. Some pretty interior scenes were in the exhibition of 1859, painted by Miss Juliana Oakley. It is necessary to omit many names of artists who have not yet had experience enough to constrain public acknowledgment of the genius they possess.
CHAPTER XIX.
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Mrs. Lily Spencer.—Early Display of Talent.—Removal to New York.—To Ohio.—Out-door Life.—Chase of a Deer.—Encounter with the Hog.—Lifting a Log.—Sketch on her bedroom Walls.—Encouragement.—Curiosity to see her Pictures.—Her Studies.—Removal to Cincinnati.—Jealousy of Artists.—Lord Morpeth.—Lily’s Marriage.—Return to New York.—Studies.—Her Paintings.—Kitchen Scenes.—Success and Fame.—Her Home and Studio.—Louisa Lander.—Inheritance of Talent.—Passion for Art.—Development of Taste for Sculpture.—Abode in Rome.—Crawford’s Pupil.—Her Productions.—“Virginia Dare.”—Other Sculptures.—Late Works.—Mary Weston.—Childish Love of Beauty and Art.—Devices to supply the Want of Facilities.—Studies.—Departure from Home.—Is taken back.—Perseverance amid Difficulties.—Journey to New York.—Sees an Artist work.—Finds Friends.—Visit to Hartford.—Return to New York for Lessons.—Marriage.—Her Paintings.—Miss Freeman.—Variously gifted.—Miss Dupré.—The Misses Withers.—Mrs. Cheves.—Mrs. Hanna.
LILY M. SPENCER.
Mrs. Spencer’s high position among American artists is universally recognized in the profession. In her peculiar style, her executive talent is probably unsurpassed in the country. She has encountered many difficulties in her path to success, and a glance at her history will not be without encouragement to those who possess a portion of her energy and perseverance.
Her parents, whose name is Martin, were born in France, but removed to England soon after their marriage. They were persons of education, refinement, and good social standing. Mr. Martin taught French in academies in Plymouth and Exeter, and gave lectures at his own house on scientific subjects, especially optics and chemistry. Mrs. Martin at one time gave instruction in a ladies’ seminary in London. Lily owed all her proficiency to her parents’ judicious training, and never went to a school. Her talent for drawing began early to exhibit itself. One day, when she was about five years old, she got at some diagrams her father had prepared for a lecture on optics, and drew an eye so correctly that her turn for art was at once perceived.
She was the eldest of four children, and was not six years of age when her parents removed to New York, where Mr. Martin was induced, by Dr. Hosack and others, to open an academy. Mr. John Van Buren was one of his pupils. Lily’s drawings were much coveted by the little scholars, who begged them from her, and gave in return the most flattering expressions of admiration.
When between eight and nine, she was taken to the old Academy of Design. There she selected the “Ecce Homo,” as a special subject for imitation. The girl-pupils laughed at her taste, and Lily, abashed, burst into tears. Mr. Dunlap, then a teacher, came and asked what was the matter. When informed, he reproved the girls, and predicted that the young stranger would be remembered when they were all forgotten.