Vase of Flowers by Cora Bliss Taylor

Painting

-

Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society

Name/Title

Vase of Flowers by Cora Bliss Taylor

Entry/Object ID

2022.11.23

Tags

Collecting the Art Coast, Garden Art

Description

A smooth, pale green-blue vase with an arrangement of petunias, zinnia and blue, sage-like flowers. The vase is positioned on a cool gray surface against a similar toned background. "Jessica House" is written on the back.

Type of Painting

Easel

Artwork Details

Medium

Oil

Collection

Artworks

Cataloged By

Winthers, Sally

Acquisition

Accession

2022.11

Source or Donor

McEnroe, Therese "Tess" K.

Acquisition Method

Donation

Made/Created

Artist

Taylor, Cora Bliss 1889-1986

Dimensions

Dimension Description

canvas, add 3.5" for framing

Height

20 in

Width

15 in

Location

Room

2nd floor gallery/conference room

Interpretative Labels

Label

Cora Bliss Taylor 1889-1986 Vase of Flowers undated | oil on canvas The vase of summer blossoms rests on a cool gray surface against a similar-toned background A student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago from 1914-1916 and a nationally recognized painter, Cora Bliss Taylor first came to Saugatuck in 1914 while on her honeymoon. She founded the Taylor Art School in Saugatuck in 1931 and conducted lessons until 1980. Her reputation as a local artists is only surpassed by the love of art she instilled in her students throughout the years. Collection: Saugatuck-Douglas History Center Gift of: Therese K. McEnroe Accession: 2022.11

Label

From "Collecting the Lakeshore" 2025-2026 at the History Center main floor gallery Cora Bliss Taylor 1889-1986 Vase with Flowers ca. 1930 | oil on canvas This Cora Bliss Taylor still life shows the artist’s sophisticated approach to painting. Signed but undated, it likely comes from an early moment in her career when she exhibited works in shows and competitions across the country. Taylor graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 1916 and came to Saugatuck in 1931 where she directed the Chamber of Commerce and her own Taylor Art School. The subject is a familiar one, especially for women artists, who were historically and systematically shut out of opportunities to work in higher status genres including human figures and loftier subjects. Here you see a smooth, pale green-blue vase with an arrangement of petunias, zinnia and blue, sage-like flowers. The vase is positioned on a cool gray surface against a similar toned background. It is a universal setting and focuses attention on the painterly handling of the flowers' color and texture. This painting is also a wonderful art conservation success story. It was rediscovered in a closet in 2021 and underwent extensive cleaning and restoration thanks to the support of History Center donors in 2023. Gift of Teresa “Tess” McEnroe in memory of the House family Accession number 2022.11.23

Create Date

February 12, 2022

Update Date

September 15, 2026