ID help: Victorian/Edwardian women gardeners working in coldframes

Margaret · October 13th, 2011, 10:52 AM

Years ago, I saw a large calendar (insurance company freebie) picturing women in long skirts and shirtwaists, working in a sunny garden in a big range of coldframes. Not knowledgeable, so I'm only guessing, perhaps Barbizon style? Very luminous, sunny image; more realistic than impressionist, I think.
Would like to purchase a print of this painting. All my Google image searching turns up greenhouses, not coldframes--or modern Barbizon modelling agency pics.

John · October 13th, 2011, 01:24 PM

Not sure what "coldframes" are, but I stumbled upon this page which has a variety of paintings of this type. When you say sunny and luminous paintings of women in gardens, it makes me think of American Impressionists.
http://bjws.blogspot.com/2011/05/wom...r-gardens.html

See also Winslow Homer's earlier paintings, which are a bit richer in color and less romantic and flouncy. For example:
http://www.mystudios.com/artgallery/...a-Hammock.html

ARTalker · October 13th, 2011, 08:00 PM

Your description also reminds me of Daniel Ridgeway Knight's work (born in Pennsylvania, studied with Eakins, lived in France and painted there for most of his career). His works have that "more realistic" than Impressionism look that you describe...lots of beautiful women, long skirts, bright sunny days in his glorious gardens overlooking the River Seine.

He was influenced by artists like Renoir and Millet (a Barbizon artist).

I love Knight's work and I think you will too. Have a look....

http://www.rehs.com/virtexdrk.htm

Good Luck.

Margaret · October 13th, 2011, 09:26 PM

Thank you to John and Artalker. Your suggestions lead to many images that are darn close in style. Still haven't turned up the painting but will spend more time tomorrow evening tracing down more works by all the artists you've mentioned.
Wish my memory were clearer on this painting. I have a sense it is English or American, not continental.
What a wonderful site. Really appreciate these leads and will let you know what I turn up.

Margaret · October 19th, 2011, 08:35 AM

Haven't found the image yet, but I am following links from links...
Thanks for the leads. If anyone else has ideas, please post.

ARTalker · February 1st, 2012, 09:23 AM

Hi Margaret,
Just realized that you're still looking; I know you're looking for a painting, but perhaps you should switch channels -- try looking for the calendar!

I have a few ideas: have you tried searching for collectible calendars using search terms like "women gardening"; also, you could try contacting an established garden calendar publisher.

I know there are many sites dealing with collectible calendars e.g. ebay (hundreds for sale), Ruby Lane, etc..
http://collectibles.rubylane.com/col....8,page=3.html

This article is about calendar publishing history (and it contains a few publisher's names. Good Luck.

http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Brief-Hi...ars&id=5027849

October 13th, 2011, 10:52 AM	#1
Margaret Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	ID help: Victorian/Edwardian women gardeners working in coldframes Years ago, I saw a large calendar (insurance company freebie) picturing women in long skirts and shirtwaists, working in a sunny garden in a big range of coldframes. Not knowledgeable, so I'm only guessing, perhaps Barbizon style? Very luminous, sunny image; more realistic than impressionist, I think. Would like to purchase a print of this painting. All my Google image searching turns up greenhouses, not coldframes--or modern Barbizon modelling agency pics.

October 13th, 2011, 08:00 PM	#3
ARTalker Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 25	Daniel Ridgeway Knight Perhaps? Your description also reminds me of Daniel Ridgeway Knight's work (born in Pennsylvania, studied with Eakins, lived in France and painted there for most of his career). His works have that "more realistic" than Impressionism look that you describe...lots of beautiful women, long skirts, bright sunny days in his glorious gardens overlooking the River Seine. He was influenced by artists like Renoir and Millet (a Barbizon artist). I love Knight's work and I think you will too. Have a look.... http://www.rehs.com/virtexdrk.htm Good Luck.

October 13th, 2011, 09:26 PM	#4
Margaret Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	thank you, many leads from those leads... Thank you to John and Artalker. Your suggestions lead to many images that are darn close in style. Still haven't turned up the painting but will spend more time tomorrow evening tracing down more works by all the artists you've mentioned. Wish my memory were clearer on this painting. I have a sense it is English or American, not continental. What a wonderful site. Really appreciate these leads and will let you know what I turn up.

October 19th, 2011, 08:35 AM	#5
Margaret Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 4	still looking Haven't found the image yet, but I am following links from links... Thanks for the leads. If anyone else has ideas, please post.

February 1st, 2012, 09:23 AM	#6
ARTalker Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 25	Calendar Publishers-Gardening Hi Margaret, Just realized that you're still looking; I know you're looking for a painting, but perhaps you should switch channels -- try looking for the calendar! I have a few ideas: have you tried searching for collectible calendars using search terms like "women gardening"; also, you could try contacting an established garden calendar publisher. I know there are many sites dealing with collectible calendars e.g. ebay (hundreds for sale), Ruby Lane, etc.. http://collectibles.rubylane.com/col....8,page=3.html This article is about calendar publishing history (and it contains a few publisher's names. Good Luck. http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Brief-Hi...ars&id=5027849

October 13th, 2011, 01:24 PM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	Not sure what "coldframes" are, but I stumbled upon this page which has a variety of paintings of this type. When you say sunny and luminous paintings of women in gardens, it makes me think of American Impressionists. http://bjws.blogspot.com/2011/05/wom...r-gardens.html See also Winslow Homer's earlier paintings, which are a bit richer in color and less romantic and flouncy. For example: http://www.mystudios.com/artgallery/...a-Hammock.html

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