Mary Teasdel

Mary H. Teasdel (1863-1937) was an impressionist artist and the first female Utahn to exhibit in the Paris Salon.[1]

Personal life

Born to Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Teasdel on November 6, 1863 in Salt Lake City,[2] Teasdel was raised in a relatively wealthy family and was afforded many privileges.[3] Her father was a successful merchant and provided for her abundant education in the arts, although he did not approve of her investment in art as a career.[1]

Education

Teasdel's family ensured she was given a proper education (or what was considered such in her area at the time) and she was trained musically and artistically in her early life. She studied under George Ottinger at the University of Deseret and graduated in 1886 with a degree in art and music.[3] She continued to study in Utah under J. T. Harwood. Beyond her training in her native land, Teasdel went on to travel to Paris and study under many great artists including William Benjamin-Constant, Jules Simon, and James Whistler.[1]

Career

Teasdel's paintings were of the impressionist tradition and usually depicted landscapes and still lifes, although she also ventured into the world of portraiture.[2] Perhaps the greatest mark of her achievement was her exhibition in the Paris Salon in 1901, making her the first female Utahn, and second Utahn ever, to appear there. A group of her miniatures were displayed at the Salon and later two other miniatures were included in the International French Exposition.[3] Returning to Utah after her three years in France, Teasdel continued to produce artwork. She also served as the president of the governing board for the Utah Art Institute and taught art in Salt Lake City schools.[4]

Of her profession, Teasdel wrote, "True art is the personal expression of an idea in an artistic way. To be able to do this one must understand the language of art, its intentions and limitations. Art is infinite in its various expressions and should enter every part of our lives because art means harmony, beauty, and the eternal fitness of things."[3]

References
  1. "Mary H. Teasdel - Marriott Library - The University of Utah". www.lib.utah.edu. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  2. "Mary H. Teasdel". Springville Museum of Art. 21 May 2019.
  3. Bradley, Martha S. (1996). "Mary Teasdel: Yet Another American in Paris". In Whitley, Colleen (ed.). Worth Their Salt. Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press. pp. 131–146. ISBN 0874212065.
  4. Kovinick, Phil (1976). The Woman Artist in the American West 1860-1960. Fullerton, California: Muckenthaler Cultural Center. p. 53.
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