Daniel Folger 7 BIGELOW page 2
These photos was taken in 1909 in Chicago, just a year before he died.
Click on photos above for better definition.
The following is a clipping from a local Plattsburgh area paper dated
circa 1900:
VETERAN ARTIST OF CHICAGO
A Native of Peru --- Has Many Relatives in Clinton County.
The following clipping from the Chicago Tribune
will interest many people in Peru and vicinity as the subject of the article,
Daniel F. Bigelow, has a number of relatives in this locality. He is a brother
of the late Nicholas Bigelow, of Peru, and of Edwin Bigelow, for years connected
with the firm of Ayer & Co., chemists, of Lowell, Mass. He is an uncle
of the present post-master N.L. Bigelow and Edwin Bigelow of Peru and a brother-in-law
to Dr. E.A. Barnes of this city.
The following is the sketch:
"Much interest is shown in the paintings of the
veteran artist, Daniel Folger Bigelow, at the exhibition of the Chicago artists
at the Art institute during the month of January. Mr. Bigelow is the oldest
artist in and around Chicago, and he never misses an exhibition. "To the
Lake"(21) and "June Morning"(22) are evidence of his energy at his advanced
age. He went east a year ago and brought back a number of sketches and has
the honor of selling his pictures at the exhibitions, having sold all on
view a couple of years ago. The Arche Klio and other women's clubs, have
added his pictures to their collections. Mr. Bigelow is represented in the
retrospective exhibition at this time also which shows the display of pictures
painted in Chicago previous to 1894.
Daniel Folger Bigelow was born in Peru, N.Y., in
1823, of Quaker descent, and through his mother was related to Benjamin FRANKLIN.
His father fought in the War of 1812, and later proud of his son's talent,
placed him with the sculptor Ashel POWERS, a cousin of Hiram POWERS. Mr.
BIGELOW said that he owed his delicacy of coloring and treatment to this
artist's influence. He was associated with the Hudson School of Art and the
art of Casselier, Gifford, Shattuck, and the Hart Brothers; as to style,
a close fidelity to nature.
His Chicago career began when he came to this city
in 1858, with a studio in the Crosby Opera House, and he was closely associated
with the historic group of artists led by G.P.A. Healy, of which there are
J.H. Drury and Mrs. L.H. St. John, still living. Mr. Bigelow was one of a
group of artists who organized the "Academy of Design", in 1867, which later
became the Art Institute of Chicago. The artist is in excellent health, considering
his age, and refers with pride to his career in Chicago. He painted the homes
of prominent Chicagoans, as Judge Skinner, Henry Bishop, Edward Isham, Edward
Teal, Keith brothers and many others. His painting "The Adirondacks"
hung on the line at the World's Fair. Mr. Bigelow resides at 5032 Prairie
avenue and paints as usual daily.
Mr. Bigelow received an honorable tribute from the
Society of Chicago Artists at its last meeting for the splendid service the
veteran artist had done Chicago and the high standard of excellence he had
always shown. Much enthusiasm was expressed and congratulations and compliments
were conveyed to Mr. Bigelow."
Another short article:
"ARTISTS HONOR VETERAN PAINTER--- Daniel Folger Bigelow, Chicago's
veteran painter, has been honored by the Chicago Society of Artists with a
large engraved testimonial presented him at his residence, 5032 Praire avenue,
by John F. Stacey, former president of the society, Dr. Elliott Colburn,
Henry Leon Roecker, and Alfred Juergens."
Another article dated March 11, 1893:
FEW PAINTINGS PASS
Western Artists at the Fair
Exposition Galleries will hold only 146
Works out of 997 offered - List of
Successful Contestants and
Their Accepted Ideas
Chief Ives of the World's Fair art department, announced yesterday the names
successful artists in the western competition for admission to the Exposition
galleries. One hundred and forty six works were accepted out of 997 offered.
In sculpture, 27 out of 47 were accepted; 78 paintings out of 546 passed
muster, 18 water-colors out of 177, 2 prints in 10, 6 pastels and charcoals
out of 50, and 20 architectural drawings out of 63. Four miniatures were
submitted, but failed to pass. The complete list of works accepted, together
with artist who submitted them, are reported by Secretary Corliss as follows:
Landscape:
D.F. Bigelow, Chicago --- "Lake Champlain".
The following is another obituary from a Chicago newspaper in 1910:
DEATH TAKES NOTED ARTIST
Daniel Folger Bigelow, Who Painted Many Landscapes, Had Been Chicago resident
Since 1858.
Daniel Folger Bigelow, 87 years old, noted artist,
was found dead in bed yesterday morning at his residence, 5032 Prairie avenue.
Mr. Bigelow has been failing gradually for months.
Mr. Bigelow was born in Peru, Clinton, NY in 1823 of
Quaker descent, and through his mother was related to Benjamin FRANKLIN.
His Chicago career began when he came to this city in 1858. He was later
connected with the historic group of artists led by G.P.A. Healy, and in
association with them, organized the Academy of Design, which later became
the Art Institute of Chicago.
His work includes the decoration of many of the finest
of the Chicago residences and a long list of landscape paintings, hung in
prominent galleries of the United States. His widow: Mrs. Charlotte Barnes
Bigelow, a son, Louis B. Bigelow, and a daughter, Mrs. Florence Edgerton
survive.
Funeral services will be held at the residence tomorrow
afternoon at 2 o'clock. Burial at Oakwood.
Another article: "Bigelow used the holiday vacation
to work up some landscapes of surpassing beauty. One is a view of the Androscoggin
River in Maine. Low hills vary the scenery, and the bright autumn tints of
the foliage impart a half sad calmness to the picture, as if regretful of
the near approach of winter. A second represents a winter scene dotted with
tall, leafless trees, and the golden sun in the west puts to shame the lurking
hopes to which they aspire. A church steeple stands like a sentinel over
the little village of country homes nestled at the foot of a hill."
( Other paintings mentioned in article: No.25 "Paradise Regained"...$75.00
sold to Arche Club.
No.12 " Early Autumn, Champlain Valley, N.Y."
No.13 " Green Mts., Vermont, from New York" all by D.F. Bigelow)
Examples of his art can be found on page
3a,
See Adirondack Life article for example
of his work and more information.
Also see Page 4 for 1997 information from Chicago
Art Institute.
Also see Page 5 for new article (1998) on Daniel
Folger Bigelow.
Also see Page 1 on Daniel Folger 7
Bigelow.
Modified - 11/02/2005
(c) Copyright 2005 Bigelow Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Rod Bigelow - Director
rodbigelow@netzero.net
Rod Bigelow (Roger Jon12 BIGELOW)
Box 13 Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
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