Mary Smith Perkins Perkins Paintings

Mary Smith Perkins Stetson was an American artist known for her work in the Impressionist style. She was born on March 8, 1873, in Wooster, Ohio, to a well-to-do family that encouraged her artistic endeavors from a young age. Her early education in the arts was supplemented by travel, which exposed her to a range of artistic traditions and practices. Perkins studied at the Cleveland School of Art and later at the Art Students League in New York City.

In 1898, she married George Stetson, a lawyer, and they had a daughter named Hazel. After her marriage, she continued to pursue her artistic career, exhibiting her work at various venues including the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Boston Art Club. She was also a member of the Cleveland Society of Artists. Stetson's work primarily featured landscapes, still lifes, and portraits, often highlighting the play of light and color typical of the Impressionist movement.

Mary Perkins Stetson's art was well-received during her lifetime, and she gained a reputation for her vibrant use of color and her ability to capture the essence of her subjects. In addition to painting, she was active in the art community, advocating for the arts and supporting the careers of other artists, particularly women, in an era when female artists were not always taken seriously.

Stetson's artistic output decreased after the death of her husband in 1928, and she herself passed away on May 25, 1931. While she may not be as widely recognized today as some of her contemporaries, her contributions to American Impressionism and her role as a female artist in the early 20th century remain significant. After her death, her daughter Hazel continued to preserve her legacy by promoting her mother's work. Mary Smith Perkins Stetson's paintings can be found in various private collections and occasionally appear in exhibitions focusing on American Impressionists.