Wilhelmina Holladay
Encyclopedia
Wilhelmina Cole Holladay (born October 10, 1922, New York
) is an American art collector and patron, and co-founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts
.
Holladay, known as "Billie", graduated with a degree in art history from Elmira College
in 1944 and also studied art at the University of Paris
. After working for the United States Air Force
and the Embassy of China
, she married Wallace Holladay.
The Holladays began collecting art in the 1950s. On a trip to Europe, they saw and admired paintings by Clara Peeters
, and were dismayed to discover that neither Peeters nor any other female artist was mentioned in the leading art texts of the time. From that point, they began specializing in acquiring significant works by female artists such as Élisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun
, Artemisia Gentileschi
, and Angelica Kauffmann
.
In 1981, Wilhelmina and Wallace Holladay founded the National Museum of Women in the Arts
, donating their collection of works by female artists. For the first few years, the collection was housed in the Holladays' home. In 1987, the museum acquired a former Masonic temple in Washington, D.C. as its permanent facility.
Wilhelmina Holladay was elected to the National Women's Hall of Fame
in 1996, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts
in 2006 and a Foremother Award from the National Research Center for Women & Families. Also in 2006, Wilhelmina Holladay was awarded the Légion d’honneur by the French Government.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
) is an American art collector and patron, and co-founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts
National Museum of Women in the Arts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts , located in Washington, D.C. is the only museum solely dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements in the visual, performing, and literary arts. NMWA was incorporated in 1981 by Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay...
.
Holladay, known as "Billie", graduated with a degree in art history from Elmira College
Elmira College
Elmira College is a coeducational private liberal arts college located in Elmira, in New York State's Southern Tier region.The college is noted as the oldest college still in existence which granted degrees to women that were the equivalent of those given to men...
in 1944 and also studied art at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
. After working for the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
and the Embassy of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, she married Wallace Holladay.
The Holladays began collecting art in the 1950s. On a trip to Europe, they saw and admired paintings by Clara Peeters
Clara Peeters
Clara Peeters was a Flemish painter noted for painting still lifes, particularly of breakfast scenes and florals.-Life:Few details of her life are known. She was baptized in Antwerp in 1594, and married there in 1639. She is known to have lived in Amsterdam and The Hague. Her first known work was...
, and were dismayed to discover that neither Peeters nor any other female artist was mentioned in the leading art texts of the time. From that point, they began specializing in acquiring significant works by female artists such as Élisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun
Élisabeth-Louise Vigée Le Brun
Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun was a French painter, and is recognized as the most famous female painter of the 18th century. Her style is generally considered Rococo and shows interest in the subject of neoclassical painting...
, Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi was an Italian Early Baroque painter, today considered one of the most accomplished painters in the generation influenced by Caravaggio...
, and Angelica Kauffmann
Angelica Kauffmann
Maria Anna Angelika/Angelica Katharina Kauffman was a Swiss-Austrian Neoclassical painter. Kauffman is the preferred spelling of her name; it is the form she herself used most in signing her correspondence, documents and paintings.- Early years :She was born at Chur in Graubünden, Switzerland,...
.
In 1981, Wilhelmina and Wallace Holladay founded the National Museum of Women in the Arts
National Museum of Women in the Arts
The National Museum of Women in the Arts , located in Washington, D.C. is the only museum solely dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements in the visual, performing, and literary arts. NMWA was incorporated in 1981 by Wallace and Wilhelmina Holladay...
, donating their collection of works by female artists. For the first few years, the collection was housed in the Holladays' home. In 1987, the museum acquired a former Masonic temple in Washington, D.C. as its permanent facility.
Wilhelmina Holladay was elected to the National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame
The National Women's Hall of Fame is an American institution. It was created in 1969 by a group of people in Seneca Falls, New York, the location of the 1848 Women's Rights Convention...
in 1996, and was awarded the National Medal of Arts
National Medal of Arts
The National Medal of Arts is an award and title created by the United States Congress in 1984, for the purpose of honoring artists and patrons of the arts. It is the highest honor conferred to an individual artist on behalf of the people. Honorees are selected by the National Endowment for the...
in 2006 and a Foremother Award from the National Research Center for Women & Families. Also in 2006, Wilhelmina Holladay was awarded the Légion d’honneur by the French Government.