Walter MacEwen, Inspired in Holland

"The Judgment of Paris" by Walter MacEwen

Walter MacEwen, Gari Melchers and George Hitchcock, all Americans, had trained in Germany at the same time but in different academies, then left to study in Paris. Later on they joined up in the fishing village of Egmond aan Zee in Holland. By 1900 they and other artists had established the American artist colony there which was recognized as the Egmond School.

 

Many of their finest works were inspired in this setting. When, in 1890, the Art Institute of Chicago mounted an exhibition to launch the opening of their new galleries, Room Fourteen was devoted entirely to MacEwen. Of the fifty-nine paintings shown, over half are verified by title or existing images to be of Dutch influence. People related to MacEwen's themes even so. 

 

At the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris, MacEwen received a silver medal for 'The Judgment of Paris.' As the title implies, it was based on the tale from classical Greek mythology - just set in Holland. The myth concerned a beauty contest in which the Trojan prince Paris must choose one of three goddesses to receive a coveted golden apple. The ensuing jealousies resulted in the Trojan War. By substituting contemporary figures, MacEwen called attention to the relevance of the myth's moral lessons.

 

To be continued

 

(Excerpts from "Walter MacEwen: A Forgotten Episode in American Art" by Rhonda Kay Cross.)