Penrhyn Stanlaws

Key facts

Lived

1877–1957, American

Movement

• Art Deco

Works held in

1 museum

1. 1877Born on 19 March in Dundee, Scotland, aged 0, as Penrhyn Stanley Adamson. He later changed his surname to avoid confusion with his illustrator brother Sydney.
2. 1891Emigrated to America at age 13 following his father's death, finding early work on the art staff of the Chicago Daily News.
3. 1901Left Princeton University in New Jersey, aged 24, to study art in Paris at the Academie Julian under Benjamin Constant and Jean-Paul Laurens for six years.
4. 1910Rose to prominence as a cover artist in New York, aged around 33, with his "Stanlaws Girl" appearing on The Saturday Evening Post and rivalling the "Gibson Girl" in popularity.
5. 1917Organised the construction of the Hotel des Artistes at 1 West 67th Street in New York, aged 40, providing studio residences for the city's artists and musicians.
6. 1921Directed films for Paramount in Hollywood, aged 44, including The Little Minister and At the End of the World.
7. 1957Died on 20 May, aged 80, in a fire at his Hollywood studio.

• What is Penrhyn Stanlaws known for?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws was known for his "Stanlaws Girl" illustrations, which rivalled the Gibson Girl in popularity. His work appeared on covers of magazines such as the Saturday Evening Post and Ladies' Home Journal. He also directed seven Hollywood films in 1921 and 1922.
• What is Penrhyn Stanlaws's most famous work?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws was a popular American portraitist and illustrator. He is best known for his portraits of Gilded Age socialites and theatre stars. Stanlaws's work appeared on the covers of magazines such as *Cosmopolitan*, *Harper's Bazaar*, and *Theatre Magazine*. Stanlaws's "Stanlaws Girl" illustrations are among his most recognisable works. These images, similar to the "Gibson Girl" drawings of Charles Dana Gibson, presented an idealised vision of American womanhood. The Stanlaws Girl was typically depicted as elegant, fashionable, and independent. After studying at the Art Students League of New York, Stanlaws began his career as a theatrical designer. He soon transitioned to illustration, where he achieved considerable commercial success. He also worked in Hollywood as an art director during the silent film era. Although Stanlaws painted society portraits throughout his career, his magazine illustrations reached a wider audience and cemented his reputation as a leading commercial artist of the early 20th century.
• What should I know about Penrhyn Stanlaws's prints?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws (1877-1957) was an American artist known for his portraits and illustrations, particularly of women. He worked in various media, including oil paint and watercolour, but is best known for his print work. Stanlaws gained recognition as an illustrator for magazines such as *Collier's*, *Harper's Bazaar*, and *Cosmopolitan*. His images often presented an idealised vision of feminine beauty, reflecting the aesthetic preferences of the early 20th century. These illustrations were reproduced as prints, making them accessible to a wider audience. His "Stanlaws Girl" became a popular image, similar to the "Gibson Girl" created by Charles Dana Gibson. These images often depicted fashionable women in sophisticated settings. Stanlaws also worked in Hollywood as a portrait artist for movie stars. Prints of these portraits, as well as his magazine work, remain popular with collectors. They offer a glimpse into the art and culture of the period.
• What style or movement did Penrhyn Stanlaws belong to?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws was associated with the Art Deco movement, which gained prominence in the 1920s and continued until just before the Second World War. Emerging from Paris, the style took its name from the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts held there in 1925. Art Deco celebrated modernity and the machine age through sleek, angular designs that symbolised wealth and sophistication. The movement drew inspiration from various sources, including Cubism, Futurism, the Bauhaus, and ancient Egyptian and Aztec art. Geometric shapes, dramatic tonal contrasts, and bold colours were characteristic elements. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 spurred public interest in ancient Egypt, adding another dimension to the style. Art Deco aimed to bring beauty to everyday objects through attractive, mass-produced designs. The style reflected the themes of the inter-war years, shaped by the First World War's economic effects and a growing fear of another war. It can be found across the world, from Shanghai to Miami Beach.
• What techniques or materials did Penrhyn Stanlaws use?+

  Information regarding Penrhyn Stanlaws's techniques is scarce. However, some general observations about artistic technique are possible. Technique in art refers to the complex combination of manual and mechanical operations used to shape raw materials according to artistic intentions. It involves more than just the method of execution; it is closely linked to the artist's ideas and feelings. Some artists begin with ideas and then address the practical aspects of craft, while others start as craftspeople and then move towards expressing ideas and emotions. Artists' choices are not always dictated by the materials they use. Understanding the processes used by artists is important, as is understanding the relationship between the qualities of the medium, the technique, and the aesthetic decisions made by the artist.
• What was Penrhyn Stanlaws known for?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws (1877-1957) was an American artist and illustrator. He is best known for his work in the Art Deco style, which gained popularity in the 1920s. Art Deco aimed to bring glamour to functional designs, influencing various disciplines, such as fashion and architecture. The style incorporates geometric shapes and streamlined forms. It also draws inspiration from diverse sources, including folk art, Cubism, Fauvism, and art from India and the Far East. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 sparked public interest in ancient Egypt, adding another element to the style. Art Deco's sleek elegance and air of luxury made it a favoured style. Artists working in the Art Deco style wanted to make mass-produced objects attractive, bringing beauty to the everyday.
• When did Penrhyn Stanlaws live and work?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws (1877-1957) was an American artist, born in Dundee, Scotland, as Percival N. Stanlaws. He is best known for his portraits of actresses and society women. Stanlaws began his career as a theatre actor. He transitioned to illustration, studying at the Art Students League of New York. He gained popularity through his work for magazines, including *Collier's*, *Harper's Bazaar*, and *Life*. His illustrations often featured fashionable women, setting trends in beauty and style. In 1910, Stanlaws succeeded Harrison Fisher as the artist for calendars published by the American Tobacco Company. These calendars, featuring Stanlaws's depictions of women, gained widespread popularity. He also worked in film, directing and producing silent movies. Stanlaws married twice, first to actress Katherine Florence, then to model Dolores Booth. He moved to California in the 1920s, where he continued to paint and illustrate. He died in Los Angeles in 1957, leaving behind a collection of work that captured the elegance of the early 20th century.
• Where can I see Penrhyn Stanlaws's work?+

  To view work by Penrhyn Stanlaws, you might consider visiting the museums listed below; however, it is always best to check museum websites or call to confirm whether they currently have pieces on display.  Museums with collections of Art Deco works include:  The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art (Winter Park, Florida), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the Museum of Modern Art (New York). Other locations include the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto), the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (Richmond), and the Wolfsonian at Florida International University (Miami Beach). In the UK, you could try the Bakelite Museum (Williton), the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, the Geffrye Museum (London), the Manchester Art Gallery, the National Museums of Scotland, and the Victoria & Albert Museum (London).
• Where was Penrhyn Stanlaws from?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws was born in Dundee, Scotland, on 19 March 1877. His birth name was John Penrhyn Stanlaws Steele; he later dropped his birth surname and used Stanlaws professionally. Stanlaws emigrated to the United States as a young man. He began his artistic career as a stage actor, but he soon found success as an illustrator. He worked for magazines such as *Collier's*, *Harper's Bazaar*, and *Life*. He is best known for his images of fashionable women, which often appeared on magazine covers and in advertisements. Stanlaws was also a portrait painter, and he painted portraits of many prominent people of his time. He died in Los Angeles, California, on 19 May 1957.
• Who did Penrhyn Stanlaws influence?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws (1877-1957) was an American artist and illustrator. He is best known for his portraits of women, often actresses, which appeared on magazine covers. While Stanlaws's direct influence is difficult to trace, his work belongs to a broader movement of early 20th-century American illustration. Artists such as Charles Dana Gibson and Howard Chandler Christy established the "Gibson Girl" and "Christy Girl" archetypes. These images of fashionable, idealised women had a considerable effect on popular culture and advertising. Stanlaws's "Stanlaws Girl" continued this tradition. His work shares similarities with other commercial artists of the period, such as Harrison Fisher. These illustrators helped to shape perceptions of beauty and style. Their images were widely circulated and admired. It is important to note that influence is a complex phenomenon. While Stanlaws may not have had direct pupils or imitators, his work contributed to the visual culture of his time. He participated in a network of artists who influenced one another and the public. His legacy exists within this larger context of American illustration and its effect on the representation of women in art and media.
• Who influenced Penrhyn Stanlaws?+

  It is difficult to determine the specific influences on Penrhyn Stanlaws from the reference passages provided. However, some sources mention artists and movements that may have had an impact on his work. One source lists a wide array of artists, writers, and musicians, including Joshua Reynolds, John Singer Sargent, James Whistler, Vincent Van Gogh, and Aubrey Williams; these figures could have indirectly shaped Stanlaws' artistic sensibilities. Another passage discusses the academic tradition of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, as represented by Joshua Reynolds' *Fifteen Discourses*; this tradition may have influenced Stanlaws' artistic approach. Additional research beyond these passages would be needed to provide a more thorough analysis of Stanlaws' artistic influences.
• Who was Penrhyn Stanlaws?+

  Penrhyn Stanlaws (born in Chicago, 1866; died in San Bruno, 1958) was an American still-life painter. When he was five years old, Stanlaws moved with his family to San Francisco. He began painting at the age of twelve. Stanlaws studied at the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art in San Francisco with Virgil Williams, Arthur Mathews, and Amadee Joullin. He travelled and trained in France, Germany, and Italy. Afterwards, he returned to teach at the Mark Hopkins Institute. The 1906 fire and earthquake destroyed his studio, as well as many of his artworks. In 1938, he moved permanently to San Bruno. He lived and painted there until his death. His students nicknamed him 'The Old Master'.