Uncle William

Elsie Motz Lowdon, Uncle William, ca. 1927, watercolor on ivory, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alice L. McGowan, 1984.12.4
Elsie Motz Lowdon, Uncle William, ca. 1927, watercolor on ivory, sight 3 3⁄8 x 4 1⁄2 in. (8.6 x 11.4 cm) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alice L. McGowan, 1984.12.4

Artwork Details

Title
Uncle William
Artist
Date
ca. 1927
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
sight 3 3⁄8 x 4 1⁄2 in. (8.6 x 11.4 cm) oval
Credit Line
Gift of Alice L. McGowan
Mediums
Mediums Description
watercolor on ivory
Classifications
Subjects
  • African American
  • Figure male — elderly — knee length
  • Portrait male — unidentified — Uncle William
Object Number
1984.12.4
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1984.12.4

Artwork Description

William had worked for the Lowdon family for decades, and when this was painted, he was said to be 104 years old. During the 1920s and 1930s, Elsie Lowdon exhibited this popular work in Dallas, Abilene, Houston, Atlanta, and Worcester, Massachusetts. In each case, reviewers noted how real the man’s eyes and aged skin appeared, a sentiment echoed by William himself.

Works by this artist (1 item)

Marilyn Druin, Golden Sampler, 2001, cloisonné, guilloche, and basse-taille enamel with 24k gold and fine and sterling silver, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mel, Allison, Erica Druin, and Lauren Druin Griffin in memory of Marilyn Druin--enamelist, jeweler, and metalsmith; wife, mother, grandmother, and friend--in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery, 1995--2003; Gift of Enamel Guild/North East and Kenneth R. Trapp in memory of the artist , 2002.55A-B
Golden Sampler
Artist
Date2001
cloisonné, guilloche, and basse-taille enamel with 24k gold and fine and sterling silver
Not on view

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Artist
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Not on view
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Head of a Young Girl
Artist
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watercolor on ivory
Not on view