Yellow Roses 1832 - 1915

Emily Maria Spaford Scott painted these "Yellow Roses" in watercolor on paper. The image invites us to think about the social place of women artists in 19th century America. Still life painting, like portraiture, was considered an appropriate subject for women artists at this time, unlike history painting, which was considered a more elevated genre. The art world of the United States was becoming increasingly institutionalized with art schools, museums, and galleries defining who was, and was not, an artist. However, art institutions were not always equally accessible to women or people of color. Scott belonged to the New York Watercolor Club and exhibited at the National Academy of Design, indicating her participation in these developing art institutions. To understand Scott's career more fully, we can consult exhibition catalogues, newspapers, and other archival sources. These shed light on the artistic landscape and social conditions in which she worked.