Sarah S. Stilwell: An Appreciation

I apologize for the poor quality of reproduction in this piece for Scribner's Monthly Magazine for December 1907. Stilwell received top billing but something went awry in the production. There's a bit more Howard Pyle and N.C. Wyeth influence in these.

A close-up of the inset which spares us the overpowering page design and allows us to concentrate on the delightful illustration.

Click on image to enlarge Stillwell's illustration for The Water Babies.

This is what I meant by a Pyle and/or Wyeth influence. Look at the story-telling going on here. The text, by Edith B. Sturgis, reads:

. . . . They were sort of elfin-fairies, and yet as big as me,
Their hair was dark and shiny, and as wet as it could be.
At first I thought it would be fun to go with them and play,
And watch the little fishes, and make bubbles all the day.

But then I grew quite frightened, they pointed at me so,
They knew I had been a naughty girl, and the biggest one said "O–oh!". . . .

Click on image to enlarge this illustration entitled, The Fairy Godmother.

Look at those faces. That is fine painting, let alone great and wonderful story illustration. I wish we knew more about this remarkable woman. If any of you have any information, please post it as a comment.

Addendum

Reader V. Pillard comments on 21 December 2004: I have just received a gift of a painting by Sarah Stilwell that I would like to know more about. It is a painting of a girl sitting in bed with a colorful quilt over her. She is looking out a window. It is an oil 15 x 20 inches. On the back are the numbers 3193 which might be 3/91. Were painting[s] dated in that way back in the 18th century. What does anyone know of her early work. I could post the picture but am not sure how. Can I email it to someone?

PG reply on 23 December 2004: Is this it? It appeared in the December 1899 issue of Harper's Monthly Magazine and my scan is at it was reproduced in black and white. The proportions match pretty well with the 15 x 20 inch size you have given me.

Comments

[giam]

Well, that's good news. Please don't send me the color photo. You might contact the Society of Illustrators in New York for information about Sarah Stilwell and how to proceed with authenticating the work you have. You can find them on the Web at http://www.societyillustrators.org/

There is always the chance that what you have might be a copy. If the work is original then I would think it might be worth a considerable sum and it would be prudent to insure it. However, you must be sure it's genuine. Good luck and thanks for getting back to me. Happy New Year!

[v pillard]

YES! The painting of the girl in bed looking out the window is the one I have. I do have a photo of it that I could send, but I don't know how. Are you interested in posting the color version? Do you know any more about it? Do you think the 3/91 date might be accurate.
Thanks so much for the info about Harpers.
vpillard

[giam]

No need to post or email a scan of your painting if I have found a repro of it from a Harper's of December 1899. Go to Archives for November and scroll all the way down to view a scan that I have just uploaded.

[V Pillard]

I have just received a gift of a painting by Sarah Stilwell that I would like to know more about. It is a painting of a girl sitting in bed with a colorful quilt over her. She is looking out a window. It is an oil 15 x 20 inches. On the back are the numbers 3193 which might be 3/91. Were painting dated in that way back in the 18th century. What does anyone know of her early work. I could post the picture but am not sure how. Can I email it to someone?

[giam]

Thanks, Denis. It's very helpful. I like your work. Link on Denis' name to view his site.

[Denis Radenkovic]

Sarah S. Stilwell (Weber)
1878-1939

Sarah Stilwell began her studies with Howard Pyle at Drexel in 1898 and 1899. Her talent for illustration was noticed early by magazine art editors. By 1898, while she was still at Drexel, the art editor of Collier's Weekly picked one of her drawings to be painted and, finally, published. Sarah worked at Drexel with Pyle until 1900. She spent the summers of 1898 and 1899 at Pyle's Chadds Ford summer school...

http://www.schoonoverstudios.com/artists/stilwellSS.html

I hope this is useful!