American Artist, Harrison Fisher (1875-1934), is known as “The Father of A Thousand Girls". He showed a profound interest in drawing at the young age of six and his art instruction came by way of his father, Hugh Antoine Fisher, a landscape painter. When Fisher’s family moved from Brooklyn to San Francisco, he studied at the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art. By the time he was sixteen, Fisher’s drawings had been used for the San Francisco Call and later for The Examiner.
Soon after returning to New York, Fisher sold two of his sketches to Puck Magazine where he was subsequently hired as a staff artist. His claim to fame was a result of his skillful drawing of beautiful women. His “Fisher Girls” even became rivals to those of Gibson and Christy. The American Girl was a favorite theme and Fisher did many cover illustrations at the time. After working for many years under an exclusive contract to do covers for Cosmopolitan, Fisher eventually painted portraits exclusively. Many actresses and theatrical personalities were counted amongst his portfolio of models.
7 comments:
Aren't "Fisher Girls" THE BEST?
They are just lovely. They are so feminine and refreshing. Why do things have to change all the time? I think we've lost a quality of life that once was. We don't take time to live anymore and enjoy the simplicities of life. Talk to Willow.. she's really into them too, I think.
What are the Dorthy Sayers Mysteries about anyway? Have you heard of Jeanne M. Dams? She is a school teacher turned mystery author from South Bend, Indiana. Her setting is in England and the heroine is Dorthy Martin. Dorthy is a hoot.. really into hats and tea. I love this mystery series. Have a great day!!
I started collecting vintage Harrison Fisher prints about 30 years ago, and even though they have waned in popularity since the 80's, they are still scattered around my house. These classics hold their own and look wonderful with anything from my taxidermy fish to African masks. I have thought about retiring them and updating, but I can't...they have become a trademark of Willow Manor!
Bachelor,
I completely agree about the Fisher Girls and the simple things in life. I so wish more people embraced them. I'm not big at all on change( at least when it's what I consider bad change) so I question that all the time.
Dorothy Sayers mysteries are about an aristocrat turned slueth named Lord Peter Wimsey(I believe later mysteries feature a female character from the Wimsey mysteries but I've yet to read them). He is a bachelor as well through the early novels! The first in the series is set in the 1920's and it's called "Whose Body?" I haven't heard of Ms. Dams but her series sounds like something I would love. Thanks for the tip.
Willow, you have the best collections. I'll bet Willow Manor is absolutely amazing!
In my next life, I want to come back as a Fisher Girl. I think I could easily become used to the pampering and the frills and frippery. These are lovely for any boudoir, to give a feminine grace to the room. He paints with a good deal of flair, doesn't he. Thanks for posting.
Me too, Lavinia! I could certainly get used to that. Yes, I think a good deal of flair is spot on. He certainly had an incredible eye for beauty and captured it with such romance.
Rebecca....along with the others, I think the "Fisher Girls" are fantastic! Oh to have been born when ladies dressed in such lovely feminine styles.I find that the next best thing is to decorate your home in the period ....I'm taking notes also on the Dorothy Sayers Mysteries...here of late I am quite enjoying this new world of blogging... :) such lovely things to see and hear about.
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