Robert Owen (American, 1878-1957) began his art training at the Drury Academy in his hometown of North Adams, Massachusetts.  In 1897, he contributed pen and ink drawings to "Life Magazine", beginning what would become a long career as an illustrator.  After training at the Eric Pape School of Art in Boston, he sold drawings to the "Boston Globe", "National Magazine", and "Brown Brook Magazine", achieving further success.  His work would also appear in "Scribners Magazine", and "Harper’s Monthly", and other publications.  Owen moved to New York City in 1901 where he began to produce works that reflected the influence of the American Impressionists.   In 1910 he moved to Bagnall, Connecticut where he could paint the landscapes directly.  Owen received a number of important commissions for both oils and murals.  In 1920, he returned to New York City where he opened his own gallery.  The gallery closed in 1941 and he moved to New Rochelle, NY where he became artist-in-residence at the Thomas Paine Mem. Mus.  Owen was best known for his New Engaland landscapes in all seasons, featuring old farmhouses, winding country roads, and covered bridges.

Studied

Eric Pape Sch. Art, Boston, 1889-1900; F. Mulhaupt; L. Ochtman.

Member

CAFA, 1915; Greenwich SA.

Exhibited

NAD; PAFA; CGA; AIC; Boston AC, 1900; CAFA, 1915 (hon. men.); Greenwich SA; Allied Artists Am.; Ainslee Gal., NYC; Anderson Gal., NYC; Mt. Holyoke College, 1936 (solo of 86 paintings); Albany Inst., 1950 (solo); Vose Gal., Boston, 1983 (solo); Spanierman Gal., NYC, 1998 (solo).

Work

Bruce Mem. Mus; Pub Lib., Greenwich, CT.

Resources

WW40; The Boston AC; exh. cat., Vose Gal. (Boston, 1983); exh. cat., Spanierman Gal. (NYC, 1998); askart.com, Who Was Who in American Art, 2490.