Early portrait work Mariette Leslie Cotton

from unsigned article in academy magazine, 6 june 1891

portrait of henry keteltas mariette leslie cotton (1883-1884, oil on canvas, 60 1/4 x 37 1/4 inches)

in 1889 painting of cotton s, portrait of miss s., accepted exhibition @ paris salon of year , proved painting american artist receive award. in 1891 showed 2 portraits—a pastel, mrs. mahlon sands, , oil, f. t. martin, esq. —at annual exhibition @ london s royal academy. review of 1891 exhibition in art journal called portraits meritorious performances , review in royal academy gave more extensive evaluation, praising technical mastery in ultra-french style , looking forward development of artistic individuality.

by 1895 cotton had become known portraits had made of prominent european men including duke of cambridge , otto von bismarck. year paintings of 2 men whom had social , family connections appeared @ knoedler s galleries in new york. 1 showed husband s friend, samuel m. roosevelt , other showed howard potter whom cotton related via husband s first marriage. later in year 5 portraits cotton appeared in loan exhibition aid 2 local charities. critic sun singled out miss e. winslow best of group, saying portrait contained dignity , distinction quite apart charm of feature or expression. critic defended dignity conveyed in 2 other portraits critic said had been unfairly criticized unnecessarily realistic in regard ravages of time. of self-portrait society writer said viewer @ exhibition astonished because smiling, young, modish society woman, seemingly coming out of frame outstretched hand greet you, looked woman of fashion hard working artist.

in fall of following year cotton showed self-portrait , portraits of 2 wealthy new yorkers @ knoedler s. sitters william seward webb , james l. breese. writing in sun, critic said paintings made in vigorous style unusual in woman , another, in new york times, saw portraits having minor defects nonetheless showing promise , unusual cleverness. new york times critic associated cotton s style john singer sargent s, calling him master. times critic did not explain why thought cotton follower of sargent, few years later critic noted cotton had received advice , criticism him.

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