Adam Emory Albright

Adam Emory Albright (1862–1957), American, Adam Emory Albright, an American painter renowned for his depictions of figures in landscapes, was born on August 15, 1862, in Monroe, Wisconsin, and passed away on September 13, 1957. His artistic journey began at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts, now known as the Art Institute of Chicago, and further flourished under the mentorship of Thomas Eakins, alongside studies in Europe. Initially drawn to landscape painting, Albright's focus shifted towards highlighting individuals, particularly children, in his works. His oil paintings, characterized by their pastel tones and visible brushstrokes, bridged realism and Impressionism, capturing serene moments of country life in Warrenville and the then-rural outskirts of Chicago.
Albright's reputation as a distinguished Chicago-area artist was well-established by the early 20th century, with his canvases fetching up to $1,500 and his frequent participation in the jury for the annual Chicago and vicinity exhibition at the Art Institute. His personal life was marked by his marriage to Clara Wilson Albright, with whom he had three sons, including the twins Malvin and Ivan Albright, both of whom followed in their father's artistic footsteps. Ivan gained prominence as a leading Chicago artist, notably for his work on 'The Picture of Dorian Gray,' while Malvin pursued sculpture. In 1924, Albright and his sons transformed a vacant church in Warrenville into the Albright Gallery of Painting and Sculpture, a space that later became the Albright Studio museum. In his later years, Albright adopted a unique approach to selling his paintings, offering them on monthly installments to ensure a steady income throughout his lifetime.