The Red Rose Girls: Violet Oakley, Pt. 1

"Unity, a mural by Violet Oakley, installed at the
Pennsylvania State Capitol

Violet Oakley working on "Unity"

"Violet Oakley, the youngest of the 'Red Rose Girls,' was born in New York on June 10, 1874, into an artistic dynasty. Twelve of her ancestors were artists. She once described her own interest in the field as 'hereditary and chronic' and with rare humor remarked that she was born with a paintbrush in her mouth instead of a silver spoon. 

Her grandfather, George Oakley, maintained a keen interest in art and returned to Europe many times to copy the works of the Old Masters. He eventually taught himself to paint well enough to be elected an Associate of the National Academy of Design. He encouraged Violet's father, Arthur, to pursue a career in art, and although Arthur eventually established a career in business, he maintained an interest in painting.

Violet's maternal grandfather enjoyed a long, successful career as a professional artist and made his living as a portrait painter in Massachusetts, where he gained fame as 'The Gainsborough of Nantucket.' He was elected to the National Academy in 1836. Swain passed his ability on to his daughter Cornelia, Violet's mother. Cornelia Swain studied in Boston with William Morris Hunt. Two of Violet's aunts, Juliana and Isabel Oakley, also had artistic ambitions and studied in Europe, including studies in Munich with American painter Frank Duveneck. 

Violet was justifiably proud of her talented family. In her later years she made several starts at an autobiography but unfortunately never got past the table of contents and a few brief pages. Her first chapter, 'Goodly Heritage,' began with a quote from the Psalms of David: 'The lines are fallen unto me in Pleasant Places: Yea, I have a goodly heritage.'"

(Excerpts from "The Red Rose Girls: Art and Love on Philadelphia's Main Line" by Alice A. Carter.)