The House Maid

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.