Joseph Oriel Eaton

Background

Joseph Oriel Eaton was born on Feburary 8, 1829 at Newark, Licking County, Ohio, the son of William and Margaret (Adams) Eaton.

Education

He received his education in New York City.

Career

Following his early years in the West, he went to New York City and in time attained distinction. He was a genre and portrait-painter in oil and water-colors and was particularly successful in his portraits of children.

The titles of his paintings suggest his versatility and range of interests. However, portraits remained the most important part of his work.

His own portrait (belonging to the National Academy of Design), and “Looking Through the Kaleidoscope” were exhibited after his death.

He died at his home in Yonkers, New York, at the age of forty-six.

Achievements

• He was a prominent painter whose best paintings include: “Landscape, —View on the Hudson”, “Moral Instruction”, “Dawning Maternity”, “Greek Water Carrier”, “Lady Godiva”, and portraits of R. S. Gifford, E. J. Kuntze, and Rev. George H. Hepworth.

Membership

He was elected an Associate National Academician and became a member of various other organizations.

Personality

He had a fine and sensitive appreciation of nature and quick comprehension of personal characteristics shown in facial expression. It was doubtless this faculty that made him a master in portraying the elusive charms of childhood.

Connections

In 1855 Eaton married Emma Jane Goodman of Cincinnati.

Father:

William Eaton

Mother:

Margaret (Adams) Eaton

Spouse:

Emma Jane Goodman