Mr. Clement Acton Griscom (1841-1912) was a shipping magnate, maritime guru and prominent Philadelphia Quaker. Mrs. Clement, seen here, was known as Frances Canby Biddle before marrying, and was thus a relative of Beaux's on her mother's side. Daughter Frances "Pansy" C(anby). was her mother's namesake and is here in the process of becoming a renowned female golfer.
You may note by the contrasting swaths of furs on mother and daughter that the family enjoyed relatively comfortable financial circumstances. You may further note, in observing the body language, that these two were a bit standoffish with one another. Despite her considerable sports accomplishments, Pansy was something of a disappointment to Frances, the Elder. (Nothing really escaped this artist's eye, did it?)
This double-portrait won Beaux more top awards than any other single painting she produced:
- 1898: Gold Medal of Honor at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
- 1900: Gold Medal at the Exposition Universelle in Paris
- 1901: Gold Medal at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York
About the Show:
With nearly 100 oil paintings, works on paper and decorative objects drawn from a variety of public and private collections, Cecilia Beaux, American Figure Painter seeks to place noted Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts alumna, professor, and Philadelphia native Cecilia Beaux (1855-1942) in a new position in American art history.
Scheduled Venues:
High Museum of Art, Atlanta: May 12-September 9, 2007
Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, Washington: September 29, 2007-January 6, 2008
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia: February 2-April 13, 2008