Title
Portrait of Ethel King Russell
Object Type
Creator
Date
1928
Notes
In this decorative portrait Ethel King Russell (1895-1971) exhibits a worldly sophistication, as well as stylistic elements of the Art Deco movement. Like Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Russell grew up in Newport and New York, traveling frequently in Europe and forming a collection of avant garde art. Her Newport residence was designed for her father, LeRoy King, by Stanford White, at the corner of Berkeley and Bellevue Avenues, where it stands today. When Ethel married Charles Howland Russell in 1928, the reception was held at the house, which became the couple's home.
Russell was on the advisory committee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and formed a collection of works by Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Mondrian and Leger, among others. In 1938 she collaborated with Katherine (Mrs. George Henry) Warren to present an exhibition called "Twenty-One Contemporary American Artists" here at the Art Association of Newport. In a review in the Boston Transcript, the writer noted "It is the most stimulating art event that has happened out of season in New England in a decade at least, and indicates a more balanced policy of the Newport Art Association toward national contemporary art." Artists included were John Marin, Charles Sheeler, Georgia O'Keeffe, Charles Burchfield, and Edward Hopper. In 1944 Russell again loaned her modern collection, along with works owned by Edith Wetmore and Katherine Warren for a summer exhibition in the Cushing Galleries at the Art Association.
Russell was on the advisory committee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and formed a collection of works by Picasso, Braque, Matisse, Mondrian and Leger, among others. In 1938 she collaborated with Katherine (Mrs. George Henry) Warren to present an exhibition called "Twenty-One Contemporary American Artists" here at the Art Association of Newport. In a review in the Boston Transcript, the writer noted "It is the most stimulating art event that has happened out of season in New England in a decade at least, and indicates a more balanced policy of the Newport Art Association toward national contemporary art." Artists included were John Marin, Charles Sheeler, Georgia O'Keeffe, Charles Burchfield, and Edward Hopper. In 1944 Russell again loaned her modern collection, along with works owned by Edith Wetmore and Katherine Warren for a summer exhibition in the Cushing Galleries at the Art Association.
Cultural Origin
Newport
Medium
Ink wash and collage on paper with gold leaf
Extent
frame: 20 in x 17 3/4 in; image: 18 in x 16 in
Source
Gift of John S. H. Russell
Identifier
1998.002.001
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.