Lot 57: MARIA OAKEY DEWING (1845-1927)

signed Maria Oakey Dewing and dated 1924, l.l. oil on canvas Dr. Susan Hobbs writes, "Although primarily known today as a painter of uniquely personal and exquisite flower pictures, Maria Oakey Dewing was also a portrait and figure painter of note. This work, which she called The Costumer, is one of her most mysterious and beautiful and it is a fine example of that little-known aspect of her work. "Using blue and violet tones that radiate from an unseen light source, Maria Dewing illuminated her figures from the left and then cast them into warmer, golden shadows on the right. She thereby created a resonating, atmospheric interior reminiscent of those by her husband, the well-known artist Thomas Wilmer Dewing (1851-1938). In fact, the beautifully posed, kneeling figure, with its graceful, outstretched hand and bent head, might almost have been one of his. The dark-garbed woman beside her provides a puzzling and enigmatic presence. With a mask in her up-held hands, she seems to be preparing for a stage role that requires the various costumes on the nearby screen. "They are not actually costumes, however, but rather, the artist's own studio props. Decorative, lacy and lovely, these intriguing garments serve as a virtual still-life within the composition. The richly patterned, blue-green gown at the front appears in a number of Maria Oakey Dewing's paintings, particularly the striking, fabric backdrop in her still life Carnations (see lot 37). "So too, the empire table near the center of the picture likely provided the polished mahogany surface in Carnations as well. This table was one that Thomas Dewing bought so that he would have something of William Merritt Chase's when his friend and fellow artist held a sale of his possessions at the Tenth Street Studio Building in 1896.(1) The article of furniture appears as a well-known prop in many of Thomas Dewing's works including A Reading (Smithsonian American Art Museum) and Lady in Gray (Rhode Island School of Design).

Thomas Wilmer Dewing (the artist's husband), 1927 Elizabeth Dewing Kaup (their daughter), 1938 Acquired by the present owner's family from the above, circa 1960