Marjorie Acker Phillips, "Night Baseball"

 

   I was looking for an abstract, contemporary image, until I ran into this.   Far from abstract, this is true realism, and so realistic it is a specific stadium, a specific game, featuring a great player up to bat.  The year is 1951 and we are in Griffin Stadium, in Washington D.C.  The Washington Senators are in the field, with the New York Yankees up to bat.  Baseball historians will recognize the batter as Joe DiMaggio because of his characteristic wide stance.  Also, 1951 is his last year of play.   The pitcher is not identified, but the posture of all the Senators shows the tension as the pitcher is about to throw the ball to one of the greatest hitters of all time.  
   Marjorie Acker Phillips (1894 - 1985) is our artist.  She was married to Duncan Phillips who was a huge baseball, Washington Senator fan.  They had box seats and attended most games, and Marjorie took her sketchpad with her, making endless drawings of the field, players and action.   This painting is the most successful of the works resulting from those sketches.   
    Now we have an interesting situation.   Ms. Phillips made an extremely beneficial match when she married the wealthy Duncan Phillips.  Marjorie had been creating and working in painting since a child and Duncan (besides baseball) was highly interested in Art.  Together they founded the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C., America's first modern art museum; where Marjorie was instrumental in acquiring, collecting some of the best European and American art of the day.  So, what is so interesting about this is that our painting is part of, and on view, at the Phillips Collection today.   In looking into a little history of her, I found one other of her paintings in a museum collection, that being the Museum of Fine Art of Boston.   However a search of Boston's collection did not bring up a painting attributed to her. 
   So, I must conclude that this painting is her only work on view to the public and that being in the museum she cofounded.   Women artists did have a tough time being recognized, so other than this painting, we have no idea of her actual skills.  However she did make a huge contribution guiding their museum into becoming a major player in the collection of remarkable Art in our country.  
   "Night Baseball" was completed in 1951.  It is an oil on canvas measuring 24 inches high and 36 inches across.   It is part of the permanent collection of the Phillips Collection, Washington D.C.
    Make Art a part of your life, it's a beautiful thing to do.
   

Comments

  1. Char HarguthNovember 25, 2021 at 6:56 AM

    (I think I deleted my first one!) I did not know the history of the Phillip's and their museum. Very interesting. Margorie challenged herself with this painting, but I guess she was very familiar with the scene. Skillful composition with the perspective of the grandstands and the crowd. The ball park is well lighted, but what an angry, ominous sky!! She is familiar with all the details. So many lightbulbs!! The player on the lower right balances the painting. A good painting to study!!

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  2. Art Expert On LineNovember 28, 2021 at 6:03 PM

    The above painting has brought on some additonial thought and discussion concerning women artists and how difficult it has been for them to become recognized.
    Let think about the great Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo (1907-1954). If you know anything of her life, she experienced a lot of physical pain and disfigurement due to major accident. About the same time she began an association and love affair with Diego Rivera. Eventually they married but it was an on, off relationship. Kahlo put all of her thoughts and emotion into her work. It was her partnership with him, being with him, traveling with him that allowed her work to be seen .So the question is: if it wasn't for him, would we know about her?
    Georgia O'Keefe (1887-1986) is another famous artist. She traveled to New York City and met Alfred Stieglitz, who was a reputable gallery owner and photographer. They married and he saw that her work was displayed and seen. If it wasn't for him, would we know of her?

    But history tells there were a very few women who "made it" with out a man. One may have been Judith Lester (1609-1660). She worked with Frans Hal and other Dutch artists, but seems to have been respected in her own right.
    Mary Cassett (1844-1926) was an American who moved to Paris to attain the art education she desired. She gained recognition there, and eventually became associated with the famous French Impressionist. The one important thing about Cassett is that she came for a reasonably wealth family. She had the funds!
    All four of the above women have survived through history because they were very talented. And that is what is important and what we must remember.
    Art is interesting, life reassuring. Get to know it....it's fun.









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    Replies
    1. Char HarguthNovember 30, 2021 at 8:12 AM

      I love the work of Berthe Morisot and would add her to the list of women who struggled with their own identity. When she exhibited with the rejected impressionists (once male dominated), her style was described as best suited to weaker temperament, lesser intellectual capabilities and greater sensibility. She combated their opinions, stating "I know I'm worth as much as they!!" She did receive financial support by marrying Manet's brother, Eugene. But she adamantly signed all her work with her full maiden name!!
      We are making progress, but we have a way to go. When I see women in CEO positions, I also see a kinder, genuine world.

      Delete
  3. JudithMarie5December 1, 2021 at 8:29 PM

    I agree with the issue of female artists not receiving due recognition throughout the ages. And I am thrilled with the trailblazers of the 19th and 20th Centuries. Curious how many of the successful females either did not marry or did not have children. Helen Frankenthaler, Elaine de Kooning, Lee Krasner come to immediate mind. And lest we forget, women hundreds of years ago were most often burdened with the full weight of household and family.
    I deeply believe that the 21st Century is the Century of Women. Women who will lead. Women who will empower. Women who will include. The world is transitioning. High time. Art is simply one indication of the new role females will play/are playing.
    The baseball painting is a delight in all its detail...who does not remember Joe DiMaggio, the Yankee Clipper?

    ReplyDelete

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