Marjorie Acker Phillips facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marjorie Acker Phillips
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Marjorie Acker Phillips, around 1920
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Marjorie Acker
October 25, 1895 |
| Died | June 19, 1985 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Art Students League |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Impressionism |
Marjorie Acker Phillips (born October 25, 1894 – died June 19, 1985) was an American painter. She painted in the Impressionist style. She was also a big art collector. Marjorie helped start The Phillips Collection with her husband, Duncan Phillips. This museum is a famous place for art.
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Early Life and Learning About Art
Marjorie Acker was born in Bourbon, Indiana. She grew up with six brothers and sisters. Her parents were Charles Ernest Acker and Alice Beal. The family later moved to Ossining, New York.
Marjorie loved to draw from a young age. Her uncles, Reynolds Beal and Gifford Beal, were also artists. They saw her talent and told her to become an artist. She went to the Art Students League from 1915 to 1918. There, she learned from a teacher named Boardman Robinson.
Becoming a Painter and Starting a Family
Marjorie Phillips had a unique painting style. Her husband, Duncan Phillips, once said she had "the unmistakable style of the born painter." Marjorie herself said she "didn't want to paint depressing pictures." She mostly painted beautiful landscapes and still life scenes.
Even though she lived a busy life, Marjorie made sure to paint every morning. She had a special studio in Washington, D.C. where she created her art.
Art, Family, and The Phillips Collection Museum
In January 1921, Marjorie went to an art show. There, she met Duncan Phillips. They got married in October of that year. Duncan was also an art collector. Together, they started collecting even more amazing artworks.
Marjorie moved to Washington, D.C. and lived in Duncan's large house. It was in an area called Dupont Circle. Duncan's mother also lived there. Marjorie and Duncan had their first child, Mary Marjorie.
In 1923, Marjorie visited France. She became very interested in Impressionism. She loved the paintings of Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Paul Cézanne. Not only did she find inspiration, but she and Duncan also started buying their art. On that trip, they bought Renoir's famous painting, Luncheon of the Boating Party. In 1924, their second child, Laughlin, was born.
By 1930, Marjorie and Duncan had collected so much art. Their house was full! They moved to a new house nearby in the Foxhall neighborhood. They called this house "Dunmarlin." They also had a summer home in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, called Ormsby Lodge.
Duncan passed away in 1966. By then, they had collected over 2,500 pieces of art. Many of these artworks were shown at their museum. Marjorie had been the Associate Director of The Phillips Collection. After Duncan's death, she became the Director. Her art was even part of the art competition at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
Later Years and Her Impact
In 1971, Marjorie organized a special show about Paul Cézanne. She also wrote a book called Duncan Phillips and His Collection. She retired in 1972. Her son, Laughlin Phillips, then became the Director of The Phillips Collection.
In 1980, Marjorie gave some land in Martha's Vineyard to a group called the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation. This land became a nature conservancy and was named Phillips Preserve. It helps protect nature.
Marjorie Phillips passed away in 1985. She left behind a wonderful legacy of art and a museum for everyone to enjoy.
Major Art Shows
- Solo show, 1925, Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.
Artworks in Collections
- Strawberry Picnic, around 1924, Phillips Collection, Washington, D.C.
- Bohemian Glass Vase, 1939, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Boston, Massachusetts
