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Alice Pike BarneyAmerican artist
Date of Birth: 14.01.1857
Country:  USA |
Content:
Early Life and Education
Alice Barney was born into a wealthy family in Cincinnati, Ohio, as the daughter of a whiskey magnate and patron of the arts. In 1866, the family moved to New York City, where Alice exhibited artistic talents from an early age. Despite initial resistance from her husband, supported by Oscar Wilde, she pursued her passion for painting in Paris.
Artistic Influence
In the 1880s, Alice Barney studied at the Académie Julian and the Académie Colarossi in Paris under the guidance of renowned painters like Émile Carolus-Duran and Claudio Castelucho. She was heavily influenced by the work of James McNeill Whistler, becoming one of the first students at his newly established academy.
Literary Salon
In 1899, Alice Barney established a literary salon in her Paris home, attracting leading figures of the Symbolist movement such as Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer, John White Alexander, and Edmond Aman-Jean. She also illustrated a poetry collection by her daughter, Natalie, featuring portraits of women later linked to scandals involving her daughter's lesbian relationships.
Bahai Faith
After meeting her daughter Laura, Alice Barney was introduced to the Bahai faith and converted in 1900. Her home became a gathering place for Bahai religious services, and she painted a portrait of Mirzá Abu'l-Fadl, an important Bahai figure. In 1905, she visited 'Abdu'l-Bahá in Acre and painted a portrait of the son of the city's governor.
Later Life and Legacy
Following the death of her husband in 1902, Alice Barney became a vocal supporter of young artists and organized exhibitions of her works in the United States. In 1911, she married a man 31 years her junior, Christian Hemmick, causing another scandal. Alice Barney's artistic legacy continues to inspire future generations of painters and creatives.
