Mary Storer Potter

Mary Storer Potter was an American artist known for her work in the Impressionist movement, often exhibiting her pieces at the Art Institute of Chicago alongside other notable artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Her artistic journey was influenced by the Hudson River School and the Barbizon school, which emphasized the importance of capturing natural light and color. As a member of the Society of American Artists, Potter was part of a community that included John Singer Sargent and Mary Cassatt, and her work was often compared to that of Berthe Morisot and Eva Gonzalès. Potter's unique style, which blended elements of Impressionism and Realism, was also shaped by her interactions with artists like Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro.

● Early Life and Education

Mary Storer Potter was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in a family that encouraged her artistic pursuits, much like the families of Georgia O'Keeffe and Emily Carr. She began her artistic training at the McMicken School of Design, where she studied under the guidance of Frank Duveneck and Thomas Satterwhite Noble, both of whom were associated with the National Academy of Design. Potter's early work was influenced by the American Renaissance, a movement that sought to promote American art and culture, and she was particularly drawn to the works of Asher B. Durand and Frederic Edwin Church. As she continued her education, Potter traveled to Europe, where she studied at the Académie Julian in Paris, France, alongside other notable artists like John Singer Sargent and Robert Henri. Her time in Europe also allowed her to visit the Louvre and see the works of Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt van Rijn.

● Career

Potter's career as an artist spanned several decades, during which time she exhibited her work at numerous galleries and museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. She was a member of the Society of American Artists and the National Academy of Design, and her work was often featured in publications like The Art Amateur and The Studio. Potter's artistic style, which blended elements of Impressionism and Realism, was influenced by her interactions with artists like Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro, and she was particularly drawn to the works of Berthe Morisot and Eva Gonzalès. As a woman artist, Potter faced challenges in a male-dominated field, but she was able to overcome these obstacles with the support of her peers, including Mary Cassatt and Georgia O'Keeffe. Potter's work was also influenced by her travels to Japan and China, where she was exposed to the works of Hokusai and Qi Baishi.

● Artistic Style and Works

Potter's artistic style was characterized by her use of light and color, which was influenced by the Impressionist movement and the works of artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Her paintings often featured landscapes and still lifes, and she was particularly known for her depictions of flowers and gardens, which were reminiscent of the works of Raphaelle Peale and Martin Johnson Heade. Potter's use of color was also influenced by the Fauvist movement, and her bold and vibrant palette was similar to that of Henri Matisse and André Derain. Some of her notable works include The Garden at Giverny, which was inspired by the gardens of Claude Monet's home in Giverny, France, and Still Life with Flowers, which was influenced by the still lifes of Willem Kalf and Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin. Potter's work was also influenced by her interest in botany and horticulture, and she was a member of the New York Botanical Garden and the Horticultural Society of New York.

● Legacy and Impact

Mary Storer Potter's legacy as an artist is still celebrated today, with her work featured in museums and galleries around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. Her contributions to the Impressionist movement and her role as a woman artist in a male-dominated field have made her a notable figure in the history of American art. Potter's work has also influenced generations of artists, including Georgia O'Keeffe and Emily Carr, and her use of light and color has been compared to that of Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. As a member of the Society of American Artists and the National Academy of Design, Potter played an important role in promoting American art and culture, and her work continues to be celebrated by institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Potter's legacy is also recognized by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which has featured her work in several exhibitions, including a retrospective of her paintings and drawings.

● Personal Life

Mary Storer Potter's personal life was marked by her dedication to her art and her travels, which took her to Europe, Japan, and China. She was a member of the Colonial Dames of America and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and her family was associated with the Mayflower Society and the Society of the Cincinnati. Potter's interests also included botany and horticulture, and she was a member of the New York Botanical Garden and the Horticultural Society of New York. As a woman artist, Potter faced challenges in a male-dominated field, but she was able to overcome these obstacles with the support of her peers, including Mary Cassatt and Georgia O'Keeffe. Potter's personal life was also influenced by her relationships with other artists, including John Singer Sargent and Robert Henri, and her work was often featured in publications like The Art Amateur and The Studio.