Mary Macomber

1861-1916

Mary Macomber was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, on August 21, 1861.

She studied drawing with a local artist for some years and then at the school of the Boston Museum of Fine Arts for a year, until ill health cut short her studies. After her recovery she studied again briefly with Frank Duveneck and then opened a studio in Boston.

In 1889 her "Ruth" was exhibited in the National Academy of Design show. Over the next 13 years she exhibited 25 more paintings at the National Academy and was a frequent exhibitor at other major museums and galleries.

Macomber's symbolic, allegorical, and decorative panels, revealing the influence of the Pre-Raphaelites, were widely admired. Among her more celebrated works are "Love Awakening Memory" (1892), "Love's Lament" (1893), "St. Catherine" (1897), "The Hour Glass" (1900), "The Lace Jabot" (1900; a self-portrait), "Night and Her Daughter Sleep" (1903), and "Memory Comforting Sorrow" (1905).

In later years she also devoted much time to portraiture. Macomber died in Boston, Massachusetts, on February 4, 1916.

She has work exhibited in the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institute; and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.