Jacqueline Cochran

Alexandrina Robertson Harris, Jacqueline Cochran, ca. 1950, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexandrina Bruce, 1967.8.2
Alexandrina Robertson Harris, Jacqueline Cochran, ca. 1950, watercolor on ivory, sight 3 122 34 in. (8.97.0 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexandrina Bruce, 1967.8.2

Artwork Details

Title
Jacqueline Cochran
Date
ca. 1950
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 3 122 34 in. (8.97.0 cm) oval
Credit Line
Gift of Alexandrina Bruce
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait female — Cochran, Jacqueline — waist length
Object Number
1967.8.2

Artwork Description

According to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, at her death in 1980, “Jacqueline Cochran held more speed, altitude, and distance records than any other male or female pilot in aviation history.” In 1932, after three weeks of lessons, she received her pilot’s license, and five years later began setting aviation records. She trained civilian pilots after founding the Women’s Flying Training Detachment, when the Army anticipated a shortage of military pilots during World War II. She founded and led the WASPS (Women Air Force Service Pilots), and was awarded the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal. Cochran went on to become the first woman to break the sound barrier and won the prestigious Harmon Trophy fourteen times, a prize awarded annually to the best female pilot. Born Bessie Lee Pittman in 1906, Cochran invented a hard-luck childhood published first in Life magazine in 1954, which still dominates the biographies written about her. She also owned her own cosmetics company, cultivating a glamorous image in all facets of her life.

Works by this artist (71 items)

H. Lyman Saÿen, Décor Slav, ca. 1915, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of H. Lyman Sayen to his nation, 1967.6.6
Décor Slav
Dateca. 1915
oil on canvas
On view
H. Lyman Saÿen, The Thundershower, ca. 1917-1918, tempera on wood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of H. Lyman Sayen to his nation, 1967.6.19
The Thundershower
Dateca. 1917-1918
tempera on wood
On view
H. Lyman Saÿen, The Artist's Daughter, ca. 1916, watercolor on paper mounted on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of H. Lyman Sayen to his nation, 1968.19.14
The Artist’s Daughter
Dateca. 1916
watercolor on paper mounted on paperboard
Not on view
H. Lyman Saÿen, Winds, 1915-1916, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of H. Lyman Sayen to his nation, 1967.6.22
Winds
Date1915-1916
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Paul Manship, Henry L. Stimson (#2), 1950, terra cotta, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.110
Henry L. Stimson (#2)
Date1950
terra cotta
Not on view
Paul Manship, Marquis Boni De Castellane, 1927, terra cotta, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.103
Marquis Boni De Castellane
Date1927
terra cotta
Not on view
Paul Manship, Owl (#3), 1955, terra cotta, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Paul Manship, 1966.47.108
Owl (#3)
Date1955
terra cotta
Not on view
Paul Manship, Robert Frost, 1943, terra cotta on wood base, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1965.16.35
Robert Frost
Date1943
terra cotta on wood base
Not on view