Elizabeth Nourse: The American Woman's Art Association

"Baby Charles Looking over
His Mother's Shoulder" by Mary Cassatt

"From 1899-1900, Elizabeth Nourse served as president of the American Woman's Art Association (AWAA), a group of women that met at the American Art Students' Club at 4, rue de Chevreuse, just a block from her studio. Founded in 1892, the primary aim of the association was to organize exhibitions for American women artists in Paris. Her artwork was first mentioned in conjunction with their 1894 show and then for many years afterwards.

In the year of her presidency, the association's sixth annual exhibition, was judged by American artists Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Alexander Harrison, Edward Frederick Ertz, and John White Alexander. 'The New York Herald' European edition published a front-page review of the show noting that over 100 works were on display (89 paintings, miniatures and watercolors; 9 pieces of sculpture; and some porcelain designs). Several artists and individual works were praised including Elizabeth Nourse for her 'Holland Interior' and 'an amusing sketch, ‘The Sleepy Baby’'.

Mary Cassatt, a member of the club, may have given her pastel 'Baby Charles: Head and Arms' to Nourse at the time in recognition of her service to the group. It is inscribed: 'To my friend / Elizabeth Nourse / Mary Cassatt.'"

To be continued 

(Excerpts from "Cincinnati Societaire" by Mary Alice Heekin Burke in "Elizabeth Nourse, 1859-1938: A Salon Career" and "American Woman's Art Association.")