Jane Peterson was born, Jennie Christine Peterson, in Elgin, Illinois; however, she changed her name to "Jane" in 1894 after she graduated from high school. In 1895 she moved to New York City to study at the Pratt Institute. There, she studied with Arthur Wesley Dow, teaching painting there herself before graduating in 1901. She also studied with Frank Dumond and Henry B. Snell at the Art Students League and was the Drawing Supervisor of the Brooklyn Public Schools. In 1907 she travelled to Europe where she studied with Frank Brangwyn (London), Jacques Emile Blanche and Andre L'Hote (Paris). Her solo exhibition at the Société des Artistes Français in 1908 resulted in an admirer setting up another exhibition of her work at the St. Botolph club in Boston in 1909. She made a second trip to Europe in 1909 where she spent time with Joaquin Sorolla in Madrid, Spain, followed by a solo trip to North Africa, visiting Egypt and Algiers in 1910. Upon her return, Peterson held a solo exhibition of her European works at the Art Institute of Chicago. 1912-13 saw Peterson teaching in Elmira, NY, the Art Students League, and the Maryland Institute in Baltimore, as well as serving as a drawing supervisor for the Brooklyn Public Schools. During World War I, Peterson painted war-oriented subjects that benefited Liberty Loans and the American Red Cross. In 1916, at the invitation of Louis Comfort Tiffany, Peterson accompanied Tiffany in a transcontinental journey exploring the American continent and the Pacific Northwest, followed by an exhibition of works she painted while traveling. Afterwards she settled in Gloucester, MA and painting scenes at Martha’s Vineyard, and Ogunquit and Rockport, ME. Except for a hiatus during World War I, Peterson made annual trips to Europe and visited Turkey in 1924. Peterson was a member of numerous art organizations including the American Watercolor Society, National Association of Women Artists, New York Society of Painters, American Federation of Arts, Allied Artists of America, Artists League of America, Miami Art League, New York Watercolor Club and the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts. She had numerous solo exhibitions and exhibited widely, including National Academy of Design(1908-1932); Art Institute of Chicago (1910, 1915-1928); Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1910-1929); Brooklyn Art Association (1912); Corcoran Gallery biennials (1914 -1937); Panama-Pacific Exposition (1915); Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts (1916, prize); National Association of Women Artists (1919, prize and 1927, prize); Florida Society of Artists (1938, prize); Gloucester Soc. Artists (1955, prize); Gloucester Society of Artists (1955, prize); American Artists Professional League (1955, prize) and the North Shore Artists Association (1960).

Call now to talk about your interest in this Jane Peterson painting: 724-459-0612

Jerry Hawk, Bedford Fine Art Gallery