William McGregor Paxton

William McGregor Paxton
William McGregor Paxton (1869–1941), American, William McGregor Paxton, an American painter and educator, was a pivotal figure in the Boston School of art and a co-founder of The Guild of Boston Artists. Born on June 22, 1869, in Baltimore, Maryland, Paxton's family relocated to Newton Corner, Massachusetts, where his father established a catering business. Paxton's artistic journey began at the Cowles Art School, which he attended on a scholarship at the age of 18. His studies took him to Paris, where he trained under the renowned Jean-Léon Gérôme at the École des Beaux-Arts and also attended the Académie Julian, immersing himself in the rigorous academic traditions that would influence his work.
Paxton's career was marked by his exquisite portraits, including those of Presidents Grover Cleveland and Calvin Coolidge, and his intimate interior scenes, often featuring his wife, Elizabeth Okie Paxton, whom he met while teaching at Cowles Art School. The couple married in 1899 and shared a life deeply intertwined with art, traveling to Europe and spending summers on Cape Cod and Cape Ann. Elizabeth played a significant role in managing Paxton's career and frequently modeled for his paintings. The Paxtons resided in Newton, Massachusetts, and later in Boston, where they became central figures in the local art scene. Despite their close collaboration, the couple had no children. Paxton's legacy endures through his contributions to American art and his works, which are held in numerous museums across the United States.
  • Nonchalance

    Nonchalance

    William McGregor Paxton (American, 1869–1941)

    A woman lounges in a sunlit room, her gaze distant yet deliberate. The folds of her dress drape effortlessly, catching the light with quiet elegance. There’s an unspoken ease in her posture, as if time itself hesitates to disturb her. The scene lingers—unhurried, untroubled, utterly present.

  • Rose and blue (1913)

    Rose and blue (1913)

    William McGregor Paxton (American, 1869–1941)

    A woman in a flowing blue dress leans against a chair, bathed in soft light. The delicate rose in her hand mirrors the blush on her cheeks, while the muted interior melts into brushstrokes around her. There’s a quiet tension between her poised elegance and the loose, vibrant strokes framing her.

  • The other door (1917)

    The other door (1917)

    William McGregor Paxton (American, 1869–1941)

    A dim interior, a door slightly ajar—light spills across the floor, hinting at what lies beyond. The space feels paused, waiting. Shadows cling to the edges, deepening the mystery of that half-open threshold.

  • The House Maid (1910)

    The House Maid (1910)

    William McGregor Paxton (American, 1869–1941)

    A young maid pauses mid-task, sunlight catching the folds of her apron. The quiet rhythm of domestic life holds her in a moment of stillness, the weight of her unseen labor lingering in the air. The room hums with unspoken stories.