Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Irving Wiles

Irving Ramsey Wiles (1861-1948) painted this reclining woman in 1895 using watercolor, graphite, and gouache on paper. The size is 22 x 28 in. (55.9 x 71.1 cm). 

Irving Wiles, The Green Cushion

Her mood a bit of a mystery. The needlepoint pillow conceals half her face, and she lies languidly on the Empire revival-style recamier couch.

The painting is called "The Green Cushion." He could have called it "Reclining Woman" or "Melancholy." The title signals that color is a factor, and indeed the green patch behind the woman sets off the pearlescent tones of her skin.  


The painting, which won a prize at the American Watercolor Society's 1897 exhibition, is a feast of edges, contrasts, and accents, bringing to life the velvet cushions and silk dress. In addition to being an illustrator, he was a popular portrait painter. 
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Website with more about Irving Ramsey Wiles 
Wikipedia about Irving Ramsey Wiles


4 comments:

A Colonel of Truth said...

Wiles’s plein air work is superb. A study in economy - of stroke, shape, color. Just brilliant with a brush. Have seen quite a few landscapes, still lifes, interiors and awed every time. Long ago read an article about him and the author concluded Wiles was heir apparent to Sargent but a victim of timing - that being his style falling out of favor. Is there any figuring of public taste?!

commonk said...

In the 'needlepoint pillow', there is an eye...another face? Is it an envious one?

Susan Krzywicki said...

That is some really pale skin. Love the handling of the velvet.

Unknown said...

So beautiful...this motivates me to practice coloring fabrics in watercolor! Love the contrasts on her lower half of the dress