A leading figure in New York's turn-of-the-century art establishment, Harry Watrous had a successful career as a painter and administrator. After training in the French academic mode at the Academie Julian in Paris, Watrous returned to New York and won recognition for his stylized female portraits, elegant still lifes, and enchanting evening landscapes. His work earned gold medals from the St. Louis Exposition of 1904 and the National Academy of Design. Watrous went on to serve as the President of the National Academy, where he helped to set the artistic currents of the time. His work can now be seen in The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, The Brooklyn Museum of Art, and the Portland Museum of Art. [http://www.askart.com/artist_bio/Harry_Willson_Watrous/41028/Harry_Willson_Watrous.aspx]