Thomas Wilmer Dewing

1851 - 1938

Quick Facts

  • Best occasions:
    • accent
    • mood
  • Corpus themes:
    • american aestheticism
    • tonalist impressionism
    • tonalism
    • impressionism
    • aristocratic portraiture
  • Typical colors:
    • earthy
    • dark
  • Copyright status: Public domain
  • Top 3 works:
    • Comedia
    • Standing Figure with Outstretched Arm
    • Lilac Dress
  • Lifespan: 87 years
  • Color intensity:
    • balanced
    • vivid
    • monochromatic
  • Nationality: United States of America
  • Art period: 19th Century
  • Mediums:
    • oil on canvas
    • acrylic on canvas
  • Top-ranked work: Comedia
  • Died: 1938
  • More…
  • Topics explored:
    • women
    • american art
    • music
    • colour
    • tonalism
  • Creative periods: mature period
  • Room fit: living room
  • Museums on APS:
    • Detroit Institute of Arts
    • Philadelphia Museum of Art
    • Metropolitan Museum of Art
    • The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art
    • Huntington Museum of Art
  • Movements: tonalism
  • Gift suitability: anniversary
  • Also known as:
    • Thomas W. Dewing
    • T. W. Dewing
    • Thomas Dewing
  • Emotional tone: melancholic
  • Works on APS: 119
  • Vibe: romantic
  • Born: 1851, Boston, United States of America

**early life and training**

thomas wilmer dewing, an american painter, was born on may 4, 1851, in boston, massachusetts. his artistic journey began with a lithographic apprenticeship, which later led him to the prestigious académie julian in paris, where he studied under gustave boulanger and jules lefebvre starting from 1887.

**artistic style and notable works**

dewing's artistic style is characterized by his tonalist paintings, a genre deeply rooted in english aestheticism. his preferred subjects were aristocratic women, often depicted in moody, dreamlike surroundings, playing instruments or engaging in introspective activities. * **woman in black: portrait of maria oakey dewing** (1887), a poignant oil on panel, showcases his wife, an accomplished painter with extensive formal art training. * **lady in gold** (1912), now at the brooklyn museum, exemplifies his mastery of capturing the essence of his subjects.

**teaching and associations**

dewing was a founding member of the ten american painters in 1898 and taught at the art students league of new york. his association with the society of landscape painters, founded in 1899, further solidified his position within the tonalist movement.

**legacy and collections**

* the freer gallery of art at the smithsonian institution has a dedicated room for dewing's works. * notable collectors include john gellatly and charles lang freer.

**later life and death**

dewing's artistic output declined after 1920. he passed away in new york on november 5, 1938, leaving behind a legacy of captivating, ethereal portraits that continue to intrigue art enthusiasts. **key works and collections available for reproduction at WahooArt:** * the white dress * woman in black: portrait of maria oakey dewing * lady in gold discover the world's most famous paintings with WahooArt's extensive collection

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
Thomas Wilmer Dewing is primarily known for his paintings of what subject?
Question 2:
In which city did Dewing initially study art at the Académie Julian?
Question 3:
Dewing was a founding member of which artistic group?
Question 4:
What art movement is Dewing most closely associated with?
Question 5:
Who was Thomas Wilmer Dewing's wife, also an accomplished artist?