American, 1883 - 1959
Albee, a nephew of E. F. Albee, theatrical producer for the Keith-Albee vaudeville circuit, initiated his artistic career doing stage design for the family business, which prepared him well for his later mural work. He began his formal training at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under William Merritt Chase and Cecilia Beaux, attending 1901/02, 1905/06, and 1906/07). He then moved to Providence where he continued his studies at the Rhode Island School of Design.
In Providence he received numerous public and private mural and decoration commissions including work for the Museum of Natural History, Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, Bridgham Junior High School, St. Stephen's Church and St. Paul's Chapel. During this period he experimented in lithography and created marionette shows which he took on tour. Albee also taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, and at St. George's School in Newport.
The income from his mural work enabled the Albees to remove to Paris in 1928, where Albee turned to easel painting, and drypoint etching, taking his subjects from the landscape and peasant types observed on summer trips to the country. The family returned to America in 1933. That Albee had not entirely abandoned his interest in the cosmopolitan life is demonstrated by the 1935 exhibition of his paintings of circus and theater subjects, and prints at Cronyn and Lowndes Gallery, New York. Yet in 1938, the family settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and into country life, Albee taking the subject matter of his paintings from the local scene.
Albee served as president of the Salmagundi Club in 1949.
In Providence he received numerous public and private mural and decoration commissions including work for the Museum of Natural History, Rhode Island School of Design, Brown University, Bridgham Junior High School, St. Stephen's Church and St. Paul's Chapel. During this period he experimented in lithography and created marionette shows which he took on tour. Albee also taught at the Rhode Island School of Design, and at St. George's School in Newport.
The income from his mural work enabled the Albees to remove to Paris in 1928, where Albee turned to easel painting, and drypoint etching, taking his subjects from the landscape and peasant types observed on summer trips to the country. The family returned to America in 1933. That Albee had not entirely abandoned his interest in the cosmopolitan life is demonstrated by the 1935 exhibition of his paintings of circus and theater subjects, and prints at Cronyn and Lowndes Gallery, New York. Yet in 1938, the family settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and into country life, Albee taking the subject matter of his paintings from the local scene.
Albee served as president of the Salmagundi Club in 1949.
