Elizabeth Norton (artist) facts for kids

Elizabeth Sawyer Norton (1887–1985) was an American artist. She was famous for her bronze sculptures, paintings, and printmaking. Her art often showed animals, beautiful landscapes, and people's faces (portraits). Elizabeth lived in Palo Alto, California, from 1919 until she passed away in 1985.

Growing Up and Learning Art

Elizabeth Sawyer Norton was born on December 16, 1887. Her hometown was Chicago, Illinois. Her father, James Sanger Norton, was a lawyer. Her mother was Frances Julia Rumsey.

Elizabeth loved art from a young age. She studied fine art at the Art Institute of Chicago in 1910. She continued her art education in New York City. There, she learned at the Art Students League of New York with Frank DuMond. She also studied at the National Academy of Design and the Chase School. The Chase School later became the Parsons School of Design.

While living in New York, Elizabeth even taught art herself. One of her students was a sculptor named Katharine Underhill.

Her Artistic Journey

Elizabeth Norton had a very successful career as an artist. Her artwork was shown in many galleries in New York City. She also shared her art at the Smithsonian Institution several times.

Elizabeth had an older sister named Frances. Frances moved to Palo Alto, California. Her husband, Harry Brown, was a professor at Stanford University. In 1915, Elizabeth visited California. She went to see the Panama–Pacific International Exposition (PPIE). She also visited her sister.

Four years later, in 1919, Elizabeth moved to Palo Alto. She had been sick with the flu and needed a change. Her brother-in-law, Harry Brown, designed her new home.

When Elizabeth moved to California, she became very interested in printmaking. Before this, she mostly created sculptures, pastels, and oil paintings. In 1921, she helped start the Palo Alto Art Club. This club is now called the Pacific Art League. Elizabeth was also a member of several other art groups. These included the California Society of Etchers and the American Federation of Arts. She was also part of the San Francisco Women Painters.

Later Life and Lasting Impact

For the last 20 years of her life, Elizabeth lived in a retirement community. It was called Channing House in Palo Alto. She died on August 7, 1985, in Palo Alto, California. She was buried in Chicago at the Graceland Cemetery.

Elizabeth Norton's art is still important today. Her work is displayed in many famous museums. These include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Fogg Museum of Art. You can also find her art at the Yale University Art Gallery. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) also have her pieces. Her work is even at the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery.

The Pacific Art League of Palo Alto honors Elizabeth Norton. They have named a special gallery after her, the "Elizabeth Norton studio." They also give out the "Elizabeth Norton Distinguished Service Award."

A bronze sculpture she made of David Starr Jordan is on display. You can see it at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

Exhibitions of Her Work

• 1920 – Stanford University, Stanford, California
• 1926 – A series of animal wood block prints, Gump's, San Francisco, California
• 1929 – Courvoisier Gallery, San Francisco, California
• 1939 – Golden Gate International Exposition, San Francisco, California
• 1942 – Solo show of sculptures and watercolors, California State Library, Sacramento, California
• 1942 – National Academy of Design, New York City, New York
• 1944 – American Color Print Society, New York City, New York
• 1946 – Wichita Art Association, Wichita, Kansas
• 1950 – Stanford University, Stanford, California