Ralph Ward Stackpole

(American, 1885-1973)

YOUNG WOMAN SEATED

Crayon and Graphite on Paper

17¼ x 12⅜ Inches

Signed Lower Right, "Stackpole"

 

An elegant and psychologically penetrating study of a young woman, shown seated and partially draped.

 

Born in Oregon, Stackpole moved to San Francisco at age 16, and enrolled at the Mark Hopkins Institute, where he studied with the painter Arthur Mathews. He subsequently studied with the sculptor, Arthur Putnam, and painter Gottardo Piazzoni, before moving to Paris where he continued his art studies at the Ecole des Beaux Arts and of sculpture at the Atelier Mercie. Returning to San Francisco in 1908, he fulfilled several substantial sculpture commissions before going to New York to study with Robert Henri.

 

Upon his return to San Francisco he became part of the art scene of the teens and twenties and, during that period, was considered the pre-eminent San Francisco painter of his generation. In 1912, Stackpole was one of the founders of the California Society of Etchers, along with Robert Harshe, Pedro Lemos and Gottardo Piazzoni. He exhibited 3 etchings in the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco.

 

In addition to his work as an artist, Stackpole was a gifted teacher. In 1918, he joined the staff of the San Francisco Art Institute where he taught sculpture for over twenty years. He also taught for two years at Mills College in Oakland (1936-38) .