Florence Griswold
Encyclopedia
Florence Ann Griswold was a resident of Old Lyme, Connecticut
, USA who became the nucleus of the "Lyme Art Colony" in the early 20th century. Her home has since been made into the Florence Griswold Museum.
In 1899, artist Henry Ward Ranger
, recently returned from Europe and inspired by the example of the French Barbizon
artists, rented a room from Griswold (who is still affectionately referred to as 'Miss Florence' in Old Lyme) and encouraged his acquaintances to do likewise. Childe Hassam
arrived in 1903; he, in turn, invited Willard Metcalf
, who arrived in 1905. Among the women artists who stayed and painted at Miss Florence's were sisters Lydia and Breta Longacre. Many other American Impressionist
painters summered at the colony, in Griswold's house, among them Wilson Irvine
, who arrived in 1914. Also, Edward Charles Volkert
who became known as "America's cattle painter", and William Henry Howe
, another cattle painter, who there was referred to as "Uncle" because of his age. Ellen Louise Wilson
, first wife of president Woodrow Wilson
, came as an art student and became friends with Griswold; in 1914 Griswold attended the wedding of Presidential daughter Jessie Sayer Wilson. Many American impressionist paintings of the era are of subjects in and around the Griswold house.
Griswold became the first manager of the Lyme Art Association's gallery when it opened in 1921. Edward Charles Volkert
was the first Secretary of the Association.
became the Florence Griswold Museum, exhibiting both art and historical material. The house was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1993. In July 2007 the building reopened after a 14-month restoration project.
The museum features a collection of American art and history, including fine art, sculpture, works on paper, artist's studio material, toys and dolls, ceramics, furniture, textiles, decorative arts and historic artifacts, and the Lyme Historical Society archives.
The museum is located at 96 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, CT, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5, Sunday from 1 to 5.
Old Lyme, Connecticut
Old Lyme is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The Main Street of the town is a historic district. The town has long been a popular summer resort and artists' colony...
, USA who became the nucleus of the "Lyme Art Colony" in the early 20th century. Her home has since been made into the Florence Griswold Museum.
Life and work
Florence Griswold was the youngest daughter of ship captain Robert Harper Griswold. Along with her mother and two sisters, she opened the Griswold Home School for girls in 1878 and taught there for 14 years. Her father, mother, and sister Louise died, leaving Florence and her sister Adele in a precarious financial position. They made ends meet by taking in boarders.In 1899, artist Henry Ward Ranger
Henry Ward Ranger
Henry Ward Ranger , American artist, was born in western New York State. He became a prominent landscape and marine painter, much of his work being done in the Netherlands, and showing the influence of the modern Dutch school. He became a National Academician , and a member of the American Water...
, recently returned from Europe and inspired by the example of the French Barbizon
Barbizon
Barbizon is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in north-central France. It is located near the Fontainebleau Forest.-Art history:The Barbizon school of painters is named after the village; Théodore Rousseau and Jean-François Millet, leaders of the school, made their homes and died in the...
artists, rented a room from Griswold (who is still affectionately referred to as 'Miss Florence' in Old Lyme) and encouraged his acquaintances to do likewise. Childe Hassam
Childe Hassam
Frederick Childe Hassam was a prolific American Impressionist painter, noted for his urban and coastal scenes. Along with Mary Cassatt and John Henry Twachtman, Hassam was instrumental in promulgating Impressionism to American collectors, dealers, and museums...
arrived in 1903; he, in turn, invited Willard Metcalf
Willard Metcalf
Willard Leroy Metcalf was an American artist born in Lowell, Massachusetts. He studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and later attended Académie Julian, Paris. After early figure-painting and illustration, he became prominent as a landscape painter...
, who arrived in 1905. Among the women artists who stayed and painted at Miss Florence's were sisters Lydia and Breta Longacre. Many other American Impressionist
American Impressionism
Impressionism, a style of painting characterized by loose brushwork and vivid colors, was practiced widely among American artists in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.-An emerging artistic style from Paris:...
painters summered at the colony, in Griswold's house, among them Wilson Irvine
Wilson Irvine
Wilson Henry Irvine was a master American Impressionist landscape painter.Although most closely associated with the Old Lyme, Connecticut art colony headed by Florence Griswold, Irvine spent his early career near Chicago, a product of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago...
, who arrived in 1914. Also, Edward Charles Volkert
Edward Charles Volkert
Edward Charles Volkert , was an American Impressionist artist best known for his colorful and richly painted impressionist landscapes. His trademark subject was that of cattle and plowmen. He has been referred to as America's cattle painter extraordinaire".The son of a hat merchant from Alsace,...
who became known as "America's cattle painter", and William Henry Howe
William Henry Howe
William Henry Howe was an American painter active in Bronxville.Howe was a student of Otto de Thoren and Vuillefroy...
, another cattle painter, who there was referred to as "Uncle" because of his age. Ellen Louise Wilson
Ellen Louise Wilson
Ellen Axson Wilson , first wife of Woodrow Wilson, was First Lady of the United States from 1913 until her death.-Biography:...
, first wife of president Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
, came as an art student and became friends with Griswold; in 1914 Griswold attended the wedding of Presidential daughter Jessie Sayer Wilson. Many American impressionist paintings of the era are of subjects in and around the Griswold house.
Griswold became the first manager of the Lyme Art Association's gallery when it opened in 1921. Edward Charles Volkert
Edward Charles Volkert
Edward Charles Volkert , was an American Impressionist artist best known for his colorful and richly painted impressionist landscapes. His trademark subject was that of cattle and plowmen. He has been referred to as America's cattle painter extraordinaire".The son of a hat merchant from Alsace,...
was the first Secretary of the Association.
Florence Griswold Museum
The Florence Griswold HouseFlorence Griswold House
The Florence Griswold Museum is an art museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut centered around the home of Florence Griswold. It is noted for its collection of American Impressionist paintings.-Museum:...
became the Florence Griswold Museum, exhibiting both art and historical material. The house was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1993. In July 2007 the building reopened after a 14-month restoration project.
The museum features a collection of American art and history, including fine art, sculpture, works on paper, artist's studio material, toys and dolls, ceramics, furniture, textiles, decorative arts and historic artifacts, and the Lyme Historical Society archives.
The museum is located at 96 Lyme Street in Old Lyme, CT, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5, Sunday from 1 to 5.