Mary Sargent Florence Paintings

Mary Sargent Florence, born on February 22, 1857, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was an American artist recognized for her contributions to art education and her own artistic works, particularly her paintings. Florence hailed from a cultured family, with her father, Charles Sargent, being a successful merchant and her mother, Henrietta Perkins Sargent, a member of a prominent New England family. This background provided her with an environment that nurtured her early interest in the arts.

Florence's education in art began in earnest when she attended the Cowles Art School in Boston. Her talents were further developed in Europe, where she studied under various masters, including the renowned French painter William-Adolphe Bouguereau. During her time in Paris, she also took lessons from Robert-Fleury and Tony Robert-Fleury at the Académie Julian, a progressive art institution known for accepting female students, which was quite progressive at the time.

She married the English painter and illustrator, Edmund Garrett, and together they were involved in the art scene of their era, contributing to the development and promotion of arts. After her husband's death in 1907, Florence continued her work in art education, which she had begun alongside her painting career. She taught at the Fenway School of Illustration and established the Guild of Boston Artists, which aimed to support local artists and craftspeople.

Throughout her career, Florence was recognized for her portraits, landscapes, and figurative works. While her paintings were exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Paris Salon and the Royal Academy of Arts in London, she was also an active participant in the American art community. Her works were shown at the Boston Art Club, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and the Art Institute of Chicago, among others.

In her later years, Florence continued to be a vibrant part of the art world. She was known for her strong advocacy for arts education, and she remained involved in various art organizations. Mary Sargent Florence's contributions to the art world were not merely through her paintings but also through her efforts in mentoring the next generation of artists. She passed away on October 31, 1954, leaving behind a legacy of artistic achievement and education.