Louisine Havemeyer
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Louisine Waldron Elder Havemeyer (born July 28, 1855, New York City — died January 06, 1929) was an art collector, feminist, and philanthropist. In addition to being a patron of impressionist art, she was one of the more prominent contributors to the suffrage movement in the United States. The impressionist painter Edgar Degas and feminist Alice Paul were among the renowned recipients of the benefactor's support.
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[edit] Background
Lousine W.E. Havemeyer was born in New York to Sugar King George W. Elder (1831-1873) and his wife, Mathilda Adelaide Waldron (1834-1907). Shortly after her father's death, her mother elected to tour Europe instead of remarrying, and brought her along with her sister.
[edit] Life in Paris
While studying at Marie Del Sarte's boarding school in Paris, Havemeyer encountered fellow art student (and boarder) — Emily Sartain. Sartain, a Philadelphia native, got along fairly well with Havemeyer, and introduced her to Mary Cassatt — a fellow native of Philadelphia whom Sartain had studied with in Parma, Italy. As time passed, Cassatt became an advisor to Havemeyer, and facilitated the working relationship which Havemeyer would eventually have with Degas.
[edit] Family life
A decade after her father's death, Lousine encountered Henry O. Havemeyer of the American Sugar Refining Company, and they were married* on August 22, 1883.
Louisine and Henry Osborne had three children:
- Adaline Havemeyer, a.k.a Mrs. Peter H.B. Frelinghuysen — (1884-1963)
- Horace Havemeyer — (1886-1956)
- Electra Havemeyer, a.k.a. Mrs. James Watson Webb — (1888-1960)
* (Henry was once married to [Louisine's aunt] Mary Louise Elder (1847-1897), but that marriage ended in divorce.)
[edit] Legacy
In addition to her contributions to the world of Impressionism at the turn of the twentieth century, Havemeyer was also an active participant in other notable events of U.S. History.
[edit] Art benefactor
[edit] Suffrage activist
After her husband's death in 1907, Mrs. Havemeyer became very interested in the women's suffrage movement. In 1913, she founded the National Woman's Party with Alice Paul. (The organization was previously known as the Congressional Union for Woman Suffrage.)
She is perhaps best remembered for an incident during the Woodrow Wilson administration. In 1919, at the request of party leaders, Havemeyer attempted to torch an effigy of the President at The White House.
Havemeyer died in 1929, after suffering through arteriosclerosis, bronchopneumonia, various cardiovascular diseases, and strokes. She had willed much of her collection to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.
[edit] Resources
- "Sixteen to Sixty: Memoirs of a collector", Havemeyer, Louisine E.
[edit] External links
- Havemeyer Collection: Magic at the Met Museum review of an art exhibit in the March 23, 1993 issue of the New York Times
- Louisine Elder Havemeyer profile from Saint Michaels College
