WOMAN IN ART
called "Easter Lily," but it reminded one of the canvases called "Annunciation." The background was treated in a style similar to some ecclesiastic canvases of the Italian Schools. But the angel with wings was not included on Miss Macumber's canvas. The maid is seen viewing a mental vision, and is lost in thought. Grace and spirituality dominated the picture, expressed in the environment of light, that color responds to, yet is softly commingled with it.
Reminiscent of that picture, but of much later date, is "Saint Catherine." In devotional attitude the serious figure bending slightly looks at a picture leaning against a pot of lilies. Again a background suggestive of the classic period, and the figure is clothed in perfect harmony with it, from the delicately veiled head to the sandaled feet. The figure occupies a wall-seat against the dado, bordered with triglyph and metope design, and the wall above is of intricate mosaic. From the tiled floor the ensemble is complete and harmonious. The intent expression of face and the hands crossed upon the breast are indicative of the spirit within.
Miss Macumber's work testifies of her conscientious painstaking method, not in the least hard, but freely refined in its finish.
A beautiful, ideal subject is "Singing Stars." Several idealistic heads looking up and floating up are singing as they float; the hair streams back from each forehead where a star is gleaming. In their ascent they seem breasting a star-spangled wisp of the Milky Way. A poetic thought poetically expressed.
"Springtime," "White Butterflies," and "The Nightingale" and "Life" are a few of her subjects. The latter is a lovely idealized face of a young girl who holds in both hands a large crystal ball; turning the head slightly, her face is full of questioning thought.
Having in great measure (but not wholly) outgrown the influence of Rossetti and his followers, Mary Macumber has dared to be herself in art expression, and her art has become more satisfying and beautiful.
She was born in Fall River, Mass., August 21, 1861. Her ancestors were New England orthodox people, with a direct traceable line from the Plymouth Pilgrims. Her father was of Quaker lineage, but with an art instinct not permitted of development save in the writing of poetry, in which he indulged at times with passionate feeling.
Before there were so many art schools and art teachers in the United States, and the wealth to make possible the studying in Europe, art instinct
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