Samuel Isham

Background

Samuel was born on May 12, 1855 in New York City, New York, United States, the son of William Bradley Isham and Julia (Burhans). His father was a businessman, allied with matters of banking and real estate, who, regretting that he had himself received no academic advantages, was doubly resolved to give them to his sons.

Education

Samuel was prepared at Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachussets, and sent to Yale at an early age, where he was graduated in his twentieth year with the class of 1875 (B. A. ). His studies were pursued in part in the Art School where Professor Niemeyer gave him a severe training in the rudiments. This assigned a particular direction to the young man's interests when, following what his father had established as in some sort a family tradition, he went abroad on the termination of his college course.

Isham gravitated straight to Paris and spent three years there, chiefly under the guidance of Jacquesson de la Chevreuse. The disciplinary habit of that painter, who in his inculcation of sound principles of draftsmanship continued the austere ideal of Ingres, left a profound impression upon the American student. It helped to make him, all his life, a devoted craftsman.

Career

On his return to the United States Isham was, humanly speaking, destined as a matter of course to an artistic career. Curiously he turned his back upon it and practised as a lawyer instead. Five years of the legalistic life, however, only served to throw him back upon the profession he had chosen first, and in the early eighties he was dedicated decisively to the brush.

He proceeded to Paris again and entered the Académie Julien, working under Boulanger and Lefebvre. He painted landscape and the figure, showing distinctive talent in both categories, and especially excelling in a firm, clean-cut type of workmanship. His themes in genre were of an idealistic and decorative nature, with a not infrequent tincture of classical myth. "Music", "The Apple of Discord", "Psyche", "The Lilac Kimono" - the titles of some of his pictures - suggest the graceful and more or less imaginative material in which he dealt. His success was prompt, especially, at the outset, upon the scene of his French training. Works by him were cordially received into the Paris Salon and on his homecoming he found his colleagues equally appreciative.

He exhibited all over the country, served on juries, won medals, and saw paintings of his enter public museums. He died at East Hampton in 1914.

Achievements

• Samuel Isham was part and parcel of the art life of the United States for years. He was mainly remembered as the author of a memorable book, The History of American Painting. Based on exhaustive research, it is informed by the sensitive spirit of a painter, one who had a special insight into his subject, and, above all, it discloses the operation of an alert faculty of discrimination. It is sympathetic, critical, agreeable in style, a vital addition to the literature of art in the United States.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The History of American Painting

    (Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We h...)

Membership

In 1891 Isham was elected to the Society of American Artists, the body salient at that time for its progressive personalities and policies. In 1900 he became an associate of the National Academy of Design and six years afterwards was elected a full academician, on the occasion of the fusion of the Academy and the Society. He joined the New York Water Color Club and the Architectural League. He belonged to the National Institute of Arts and Letters, the Century Association, the Salmagundi Club.

Personality

Isham had efficient qualities as an artist, respect inspired by his craftsmanship and his personality.

Connections

Father:

William Bradley Isham

Mother:

Julia (Burhans) Isham