20th Century Art Archives

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.
Bal blanc (1903)

Joseph-Marius Jean Avy (French, 1871–1939)

A swirl of white gowns glides across the floor, their movement frozen mid-step. The air hums with muffled laughter and rustling fabric, a fleeting glimpse of elegance caught between one turn and the next. Light bounces off satin slippers as the dance lingers, suspended in its own rhythm.
Harrison Fisher girls Pl.9 (1914)

Harrison Fisher (American, 1875–1934)

A graceful woman in a flowing gown gazes past the viewer, her delicate features framed by soft curls. The illustration radiates quiet confidence, capturing early 20th-century ideals of femininity with effortless charm.
Portrait Of Edith Hope Iselin (1930)

Philip Alexius de László (Hungarian, unknown)

A poised woman gazes past the frame, her dark dress contrasting with the soft glow of her skin. The hint of a smile lingers, suggesting a private thought left unspoken. Light catches the pearls at her neck, their luster mirroring the quiet confidence in her eyes.
Princesse Jean De Broglie, Depuis Honorable Mrs Daisy Fellowes

Jacques-Émile Blanche (French, 1861–1942)

A woman in white gazes past the viewer, her gloved hand resting lightly on a chair. The portrait hums with restrained elegance, capturing an aristocrat’s poised detachment. Every brushstroke whispers of privilege and unspoken rules, leaving us to wonder what lies beneath that cool, composed surface.
Her Leisure Hour (ca. 1925)

Irving Ramsay Wiles (American, 1861–1948)

A woman lounges in quiet repose, sunlight draping her form. The folds of her dress pool around her, soft against the chair. A book rests forgotten in her lap—distracted or simply lost in thought. The room hums with unspoken stillness, that rare pause between one moment and the next.
Mary Crowninshield Endicott Chamberlain (Mrs. Joseph Chamberlain) (1902)

John Singer Sargent (American, 1856-1925)

A poised woman in a flowing white gown gazes past the viewer, her gloved hand resting lightly on a chair. The soft folds of fabric and subtle play of light suggest quiet elegance, while her distant expression hints at unspoken thoughts. The portrait balances refinement with an air of mystery.
Her future (ca. 1920)

Harrison Fisher (American, 1875–1934)

A young woman gazes ahead, her eyes bright with quiet determination. The soft curve of her lips hints at secrets yet to unfold, while the delicate tilt of her chin speaks of dreams just beyond reach. There’s something unspoken in her stillness—a promise, or perhaps a challenge.
Afternoon Tea (1925)

Harrison Fisher (American, 1875–1934)

A woman in 1920s elegance leans forward, her gloved fingers poised above the teacup. The saucer catches a sliver of light as her companion’s laughter hangs just beyond the frame. Lace curtains stir—someone left the window open. The scene hums with unspoken words and cooling tea.