San Francisco County
Biographies
MRS. ELIZABETH A. ROCKWELL
MRS. ELIZABETH A. ROCKWELL, who for many years has done much
to advance the interests of art in this city, is a native of New
York. Her Parents were natives of the Empire
State. Her grandfather Rockwell was
a soldier and was wounded in the war of 1812. Mrs. Rockwell received her
education in her native State, and developed a taste for drawing during early
childhood. She painted a picture when only eight years of age. This is yet in
the possession of the family and carefully preserved. She completed her
education at the Troy Conference
Academy, Fulton,
Vermont, taking great interest in her study
of drawing and painting.
In
1868 she went to Europe, studied in Brussels, the Flemish
School under Professor Francois, and visited various
parts of Europe, pursuing her art studies several years.
She returned to New York in 1871, and two years later
came to San Francisco. For the past
nineteen years she has devoted her whole time and energy to the interests of
her profession, giving special attention to portrait and figure painting. For
her first portrait, that of a well known society lady, she received very
favorable criticism. In 1875 she painted several horses for the Bonanza firm,
which attracted much attention. She was awarded a diploma for painting “Coming
out of the Valley,” sent to Santiago,
Chili; also a diploma from the Mechanics’ Institute for finest miniature
painting. She has made several visits to New York, and
while there in 1884 received a commission from the State to paint a portrait of
ex-United States Treasurer Folger, for the State Capitol at Albany.
She received a commission to paint a portrait of the late Governor Bartlett for
the State Capitol at Sacramento,
also one for the city and a third for the Cosmos Club. Her work has received
very favorable criticism and is found in many of the best galleries in San
Francisco.
Transcribed by Kim Buck.
Source: "The Bay of San
Francisco," Vol. 2, Page
618, Lewis Publishing Co,
1892.
© 2006 Kim Buck.
California
Biography Project
San
Francisco County
California
Statewide
Golden
Nugget Library