James Carroll Beckwith

Carroll Beckwith (he hated the name James) was a sickly child, so his father soon gave up his plans to send his son into the army. As a teenager Carroll began his art studies in Chicago, but after a devastating fire in October 1871 his family moved to New York. After further studies he sailed to England and later, in 1873, to France, where he later declared: “I believe my real artistic life began.” He was the pupil of several Paris teachers, then returned to New York in 1878 and taught for nearly twenty years at the Art Students League. Besides painting parks and landscapes, he added idealised portraits of figures from New York society to his repertoire, largely to supplement his modest income. Death came suddenly at the age of 65.

From the page of The Emperor