“Painting is my way of translating the poetry I see in the world” – Gladys Rockmore Davis
Gladys Rockmore Davis (1901-1967) was a renowned American artist celebrated for her evocative portraits, still lifes, and landscapes. Blending Impressionist techniques with modern realism, she became a pioneering figure among women artists of her time.
“Never Stopped Drawing”
Gladys Rockmore Davis was born in May 11, 1901 in New York City, New York. Her father, Israel Rockmore, was a distinguished violinist and music educator. Her mother nurtured her artistic curiosity from a young age.
Originally pursuing piano, Davis remembered, “I found my true voice in color and brushstrokes.”
She moved with her family to Canada. Later, they relocated to San Francisco. There, she attended Girls’ High School, and began formal art training at the California School of Fine Arts. In 1917, at age 16, she enrolled at the Art Institute of Chicago.
In the 1920s, she worked as a fashion illustrator for magazines including Vogue. She also worked for firms like Grauman Brothers Advertising. There, she became the first woman hired.
These early years were marked by a deep love for fine art and a practical career in commercial illustration. She reflected, “I never stopped drawing. Even when I was doing fashion ads, I was thinking about painting.”
In Grauman Brothers Advertising she met Floyd Davis, a fellow illustrator. They married in 1925 and had two children, including Noel Rockmore, who later became a renowned artist.
Impressionist Light with Modern Realism
In 1932, the family moved to Cannes, France, where Davis transitioned from commercial work to fine art. She was inspired by visits to Renoir’s studio and the European masters. So, she began to develop a style that blended Impressionist light with modern realism.
She returned to New York City in 1933, and studied at the Art Students League.
From mid to late 1930s, she gained recognition for her portraits of children, nudes, ballet dancers, and still lifes. She used pastels that merged the richness of oils with the intimacy of sketches.
During 1940s-1960s, she exhibited widely and received multiple accolades, including the William R. French Gold Medal, Beck Gold Medal, and Isador Gold Medal. She was the first woman to get the Carnegie International Prize.
Gladys Rockmore Davis passed away in 1967 February 16 in New York City at the age of 65. But her luminous landscapes, spirited portraits, and unwavering dedication to truth and beauty continue an inspiring legacy.
“Her Pastels Breathe”
Gladys left behind a legacy of over 600 works. These works embody her belief that “art should be a celebration of life’s richness. Art should be bold, joyful, and honest”.
She emphasized that “art is about honesty, passion, and embracing one’s true voice.”
Her works are held by major institutions. This includes The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. She was hailed as “the ten-year wonder of United States art” for her rapid rise and enduring impact.
She became renowned for her portraits, especially of children, nudes, ballet dancers, and still lifes in oil and gouache. She once said, “I paint what moves me. A child’s glance, a dancer’s pose, a bowl of fruit—each has its own story.”
Her use of pastel was particularly celebrated for its richness and depth. One reviewer noted, “Her pastels have the weight of oils and the intimacy of sketches. They breathe.”
Her still lifes and flowers were praised for their fusion of color and form. As art historian Donald Bear wrote, “This is the work of a painter whose art and whose sense of life are one.”
Vitality and Depth
Davis’s mastery of color and light, along with her ability to blend Impressionism with modernist sensibilities, made her one of the most pioneering women artists of her time.
Art historian Meyer Schapiro wrote: “Her paintings embody the joy of living and the power of sincere expression.”
Her paintings of Spain and liberated Paris captured cultural moments with sensitivity and grace. Her illustrations of literary and musical themes added another layer to her artistic repertoire.
Davis’s extensive travels across Europe, North Africa, and the Caribbean further enriched her palette and perspective.
Art critic Clement Greenberg praised her scenes of Mediterranean skies and bustling markets. He noted “Davis’s use of color is both passionate and precise. Her landscapes shimmer with vitality and depth.”
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