Charles Walter Stetson
1858-1911
Born in Tiverton, RI, Stetson began
painting about 1872 and he had determined to be a artist by 1876.
Without formal training and without the financial means to even hold a
studio continuously between 1876 and 1878, he struggled to find his
way. His talent as a “Colorist” was recognized by Bannister, Burleigh
and especially Whitaker, and they gave him encouragment in these early
years of the Providence art community.
From 1878 until about 1885, Stetson truly lived the life of a starving artist. His early work shows the lack of drawing skill which was recognized by him as well as his critics. He was, however, considered to have in him, the traits of a great colorist and his paintings were accepted into exhibitions at thePennsylvania Academy
He was a founding member of the Providence Art Club and was one of the first occupants of the Fleur de Lis studios. He moved to Pasadena, CA in 1889 and stayed a little more than a year before returning to Providence, where he remained until the end of 1894. The years 1895 to 1900 were again spent in Pasadena, except for a trip to Europe in 1897. The year 1900 saw Stetson open a studio in Boston and he spent the remainder of his life between Boston, Italy and Pasadena. California collectors claim Stetson as one of their own, but Rhode Island collectors believe they have the stronger claim.
Through his career he exhibited at the PAC, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the NY Etching Club, numerous art galleries in New York, Boston, and California, and in 1902 he had an exhibition which traveled to museums in St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati and Worcester. After his death a number of his paintings were exhibited at the PAC and a Memorial Exhibition was held at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Other memorial exhibitions were held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1912, the Detroit Museum of Art, 1913, and the Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1914
From 1878 until about 1885, Stetson truly lived the life of a starving artist. His early work shows the lack of drawing skill which was recognized by him as well as his critics. He was, however, considered to have in him, the traits of a great colorist and his paintings were accepted into exhibitions at the
He was a founding member of the Providence Art Club and was one of the first occupants of the Fleur de Lis studios. He moved to Pasadena, CA in 1889 and stayed a little more than a year before returning to Providence, where he remained until the end of 1894. The years 1895 to 1900 were again spent in Pasadena, except for a trip to Europe in 1897. The year 1900 saw Stetson open a studio in Boston and he spent the remainder of his life between Boston, Italy and Pasadena. California collectors claim Stetson as one of their own, but Rhode Island collectors believe they have the stronger claim.
Through his career he exhibited at the PAC, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the NY Etching Club, numerous art galleries in New York, Boston, and California, and in 1902 he had an exhibition which traveled to museums in St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati and Worcester. After his death a number of his paintings were exhibited at the PAC and a Memorial Exhibition was held at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art. Other memorial exhibitions were held at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1912, the Detroit Museum of Art, 1913, and the Metropolitan Museum, New York, 1914
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