Maria R. Dixon (fl. 1880-1895 / D. 1896)

 Little is known about the circumstances of Maria R. Dixon’s life, including any record of birth or death. As early as 1886, the Complete Catalog of the 62nd Spring Exhibition of the National Academy of Design stated that she had studied at the Art Students League under Charles Yardley Turner.

 The exhibition record of her paintings between 1880 and 1900 is partially available. She exhibited in the 1895 Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta. She exhibited with the Brooklyn Art Association beginning in 1880. She also exhibited in nine annual exhibitions at the National Academy of Design from 1883-1896.

 Maria Dixon began exhibiting with the Women’s Art Club of New York, the forerunner of the National Association of Women Artists, in 1893. That year she became a member of the organization. She was listed in the 1893 and 1894 catalogs as a resident of Brooklyn. In 1896 she exhibited in the Annual Exhibition of Paintings by American Artists at the Art Institute of Chicago.

 The 1893 Quarterly Illustrator stated: “A sweet, poetic theme, delicately but straightforwardly excuted, is the painting by Miss M.R. Dixon, which bears the title, Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall. It was shown in the spring exhibit of the National Academy and elicited favorable comment from many lips and pens”. This issue also included a sketch of the painting and a photo of Miss Dixon.

 In the illustrator of 1894 an article, Women in Art, stated, “Miss Dixon’s skill in the composition of notable figure paintings has obtained for her a wide and enviable reputation.

 Like so many of the other female artists of the period, Miss Dixon only used her initials to avoid discrimination.

Listed:

Dictionary of Women Artist, by Chris Petteys

Biographical Encyclopedia of American Painters, Sculptors & Engravers of the United States, by Bob Crebs

Biographical sketch taken from: Art by American Women, by Louise and Alan Stellars.