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for Abbott Fuller Graves
American, 1859 - 1936
Graves initially studied to become an architect, attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, near Boston, and it was to pursue his architectural training that he went to Paris in 1884. However, once there, he turned to studying flower painting under Georges Jeannin. On his return to Boston the following year he began a two-year period of teaching at the Cowles Art School. In 1887 he returned to Paris where he passed the next three year at the Académie Julian, studying under Fernand Cormon, Jean Paul Laurens and Paul Gervais. While living in Paris, Graves exhibited in the Salons, and was active in the American Association of the city. When he returned to American it was to settle in Kennebunkport, but made painting expeditions to South American, Trinidad, and Havana.
Graves was primarily a painter of gardens. His garden paintings reflected the rich flora of his native New England and of the tropical places he visited. He often introduced figures into these pictures, but the garden itself, and play of sunlight in it, was always the focus. Booth Tarkington, a great friend of Wayman Adams, was also a great admirer of Graves' paintings, and this link may have contributed to Graves' choice of painter to execute his Academy portrait.
Graves was primarily a painter of gardens. His garden paintings reflected the rich flora of his native New England and of the tropical places he visited. He often introduced figures into these pictures, but the garden itself, and play of sunlight in it, was always the focus. Booth Tarkington, a great friend of Wayman Adams, was also a great admirer of Graves' paintings, and this link may have contributed to Graves' choice of painter to execute his Academy portrait.
