The Bennett Collection is pleased to announce the acquisition of Portrait of a Young Woman (1931) by Emma Fordyce MacRae (1887–1974), a pivotal figure in early 20th-century American realism.
A prominent member of "The Philadelphia Ten", MacRae was celebrated for her unique aesthetic that bridged the gap between traditional portraiture and a modern, tapestry-like texture. "The Philadelphia Ten" (also known as “The Ten”) was a groundbreaking collective of American women artists who exhibited together from 1917 to 1945. Formed during a time when women were often marginalized as "hobbyists," the group was a radical step toward professional autonomy for female painters and sculptors. Learn more about
"The Ten" HERE.
This particular work by MacRae, executed in her signature dry-brush technique on board, captures a moment of quiet introspection that aligns perfectly with our mission to celebrate women’s figurative realism in all its complexity and power. The Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts held a solo exhibition of MacRae’s works in 2008, where this work was featured. In the accompanying catalogue, the art historian, Karen Quinn, remarks about MacRae’s subdued but unifying palette, of which this work is a fine example.
MacRae’s career was defined by a refusal to follow fleeting trends, choosing instead to master a textured, "stippled" surface that gives her subjects a timeless, ethereal quality. This acquisition joins our growing collection of historical and contemporary works, furthering our commitment to ensuring that the voices of women painters, both past and present, receive the critical acclaim they have long deserved.
We are honored to bring this "Young Woman" into the collection, where she will stand alongside other masters of the figure who have shaped the landscape of art history.