John White Alexander: Marriage and Paris

"A year after Alexander came home from his second summer spent abroad, in 1887, he married Elizabeth Alexander. They lived in New York for three years after their marriage. Then, early in 1890, they went abroad, because he had a serious attack of grippe, which left him in a much weakened condition. They expected to stay two years and stayed eleven; years rich in happy associations and friendships, and especially notable because of the distinguished honors and professional recognition which came to the young painter. 

The Alexanders lived in Paris and were in touch with French life and French art in a peculiarly intimate sense. Few Americans have more happily taken their place in the social and artistic life of a foreign city.

Alexander received marked recognition for the first time in the spring of 1893, at the exhibition of the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris, to which he had sent three portraits: 'The Gray Dress,' 'The Black Dress,' and 'The Yellow Dress.' This group was the feature of the Salon, the paintings were marked number 1, were hung together in a panel and the young painter was immediately afterward elected associate of the society. This success was followed by an exhibition at the Grafton Gallery in London of two portraits which were given a place of honor.

"The Gray Dress"

"The Black Dress"

"The Yellow Dress"

The next year, he exhibited a group of five portraits and two compositionsat the Societe Nationale des Beaux-Arts, and in June of that year he was elected to full membership with the privilege of exhibiting hors concours, of voting with the society and of serving on its juries. Thishonor by French society place him at once in the front rank of the younger painters. Recognition in other cities followed closely. He was invited tocontribute to the exhibitions of Europe and of the United States and medals and awards came to him from the most distinguished sources and his work became part of collections around the world."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "John White Alexander: A Biographical Sketch" by H.M. B. for "The American Magazine of Art.")