Mark Richardson has more paintings by Salisbury on his site.
He writes:
It's surprising that he's not better known now as he painted the portraits of six American presidents, 25 members of the royal family, a pope and many other prominent figures of his time.It is interesting that Salisbury apprenticed as a stained glass designer in his brother's workshop. Such an exacting craft, which takes many years to learn, must have guided the direction of his art (painting) education: that one has to learn the skills; that it takes time; that an artist develops over time and work; and although he will have the necessary talents due to his particular character, he can learn to develop them over the years until he becomes a confident and sure artist.
Commemorative Cartoon for Stained Glass Window for
Wesley Chapel, London
c. 1915
Frank O. Salisbury.
[Detailed description of the drawing here]
In fact, that is what one of the commentators at Richardson's site says:
I'm currently in my third year at the Dunedin Art School in New Zealand, and I now believe that it's no coincidence that it's almost impossible for me to imagine any of the students here approaching this kind of expression. They wont even teach drawing here in any serious way - offering only some token life drawing 'classes' once a week on a semi-regular basis. Here the regurgitation and expression of the nebulous ideas of the post-modern art world and pseudo-intellectualism are much more important (actually necessary) than the work and dedication required to acquire the skills necessary for the creation of a beautiful thing. And the scope and nature of ideas present in the institution are shaped by the Art History section of the course, which is unashamedly left leaning in its perspectives on reality.Here is one beautiful painting which Richardson has posted, which I'm posting in a larger size to better see the details and the ephemeral quality of the painting. I found this large sized image at the BBC online site "Your Paintings."
Date painted: 1933
Oil on canvas, 104 x 184 cm
Collection: Southend Museums Service
© estate of Frank O. Salisbury. All rights reserved, DACS 2013
Photo credit: Southend Museums Service
It is very difficult to paint something translucent, or transparent (like the bridal veil). The form is developed purely through contrasting shadow and light and the images that can be seen through the object (which are painted a slightly darker shade), since the veil essentially has no shade or "color." [See here for a good explanation on properties of color].
This is why paintings, and other works of art, should be viewed "live" in their settings, so we can see such fine details, which add to the beauty of a piece.
And below is delicate floral embroidery on the veil, adding a thicker layer of form and color to "ground" the translucent veil.
Finally, here is what Mark posted: "The Fair Lady."
The full title for the painting, as described by the auction site Christie's, is:
The Fair Lady, the Bridal Dress
Francis Owen Salisbury (1874-1962)
Oil on canvas
50 x 40 in. (127 x 101.6 cm.)
[Calculated date of painting - see below: 1901-02]
I've looked for the date of the painting, but could find nothing. If we go by the subject, a possible wedding portrait, he married Maude in 1901, so this would make date he painted the work 1901 or even 1902 (as newly-weds).
The painting sold for $34,134 USD, or £22,500, at Christie's on May 31, 2012, according to this arts sales index website.
The fair lady of the painting clearly resembles Alice Maude, who became Salisbury's wife.
Maude, The Lady in Brown
Frank O. Salisbury (1874-1962)
Oil on canvas. 142.2 x 104.1cm.
Alice Maude Greenwood later became the artist's wife.
[Calculated date of painting: 1899-1900]
Again, there is no date for the painting above. But the caption says that "she later became the artist's wife" so I would assume this was a pre-marriage photo. People didn't have long pre-marriage relationships in that era, otherwise the man's intentions would be questioned by all parties, and especially protective mothers. They married in 1901, so I would date this photo around a year before (two at the most) from 1899-1900.
[If anyone has specific information, please let me know. I will also look in various library sources for more information.]
I could picture J.P. Morgan Jr's wife looking like Maude.
I found the painting below of his wife, Jane Norton Grew, later Mrs. J. P. Morgan Jr. She has that same ephemeral quality as Salisbury's fair lady. She was the daughter of a prominent Boston banker and mill owner Henry Sturgis Grew.
Mrs. J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr. (ca. 1870-1925)
Date: 1895
Artist: Katherine Arthur Behenna
Medium: Watercolor on ivory
Dimensions Overall: 2 3/8 x 2 3/8 in. ( 6 x 6 cm )
Gift of the Estate of Peter Mari
Gallery Label:
Jane Norton Grew was the daughter of Henry Sturgis Grew, a Boston banker and mill owner. She married[Image from the New York Historical Society]
J. Pierpont Morgan, Jr. (1867-1943) in 1890. They resided at Glen Cove, Long Island, where Mrs. Morgan took a special interest in gardening and horticulture. She was also an authority on the Morgan
collection of books, manuscripts, and works of art.
Frank Owen Salisbury (right) with MacKenzie King, Prime Minister of Canada from 1935 – 1948
[Image source: Library and Archives Canada]
The above photograph was taken in 1947.The lady on the left must be Alice Maude, since MacKenzie King never married. And she does have a resemblance to the portraits of the ladies. In 1947, she would have been in her late sixties. Salisbury was seventy-three then. Both husband and wife have a jovial youthfulness about them.
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Posted By: Kidist P. Asrat