The Cosmopolitan, the Bohemian and the Provincial: Artists in Early Twentieth Century Newport

The Gilded Age was waning as Newport entered the 20th century, although the city retained its cachet as a playground for the rich. To that end it attracted a sophisticated, more cosmopolitan group of artists, often from abroad. The bohemian element also introduced a subculture of unconventional lifestyles and range of art. At the same time, with the breaking down of class structures, artists from all walks of life were encouraged to pursue art as a hobby or profession, resulting in many native Newport artists. This two-part seminar explores artists as diverse as Gertrude Käsebier, Durr Freedley and Marion Carry, brought together in an exploration of a little recognized era of Newport’s art history.

Nancy Whipple Grinnell is curator emerita of the Newport Art Museum, where she served for 18 years. She oversaw all curatorial affairs, developed numerous museum catalogs and wrote a biography of the Museum’s founder titled, “Carrying the Torch: Maud Howe Elliott and the American Renaissance.” Nancy currently chairs the collections committee at the Providence Art Club, where she has co-curated an exhibition on historical women artists of Providence. She has organized exhibitions for the Gilbert Stuart Museum on Edward M. Bannister, George Whitaker and Mabel Woodward and produced a catalog on Matunuck’s Hale family artists. Nancy holds a degree in art history from the University of Pittsburgh, an M.L.S. from Simmons College and an MA in American civilization from Brown University.