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:

  1. 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?!

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

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

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

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