Warren Eliphalet Rollins | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1861 |
| Died | February 6, 1962 (aged 100–101) |
| Education | San Francisco School of Design |
| Known for | Painting |
Warren Eliphalet Rollins (1861–1962) was an American painter. Known as "the Dean of the Santa Fe Art Colony," he organized the first formal art exhibition in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[1]
Early life and education
editRollins was born in Carson City, Nevada, and raised in Oakland, California.[1] He studied under Virgil Williams at the San Francisco School of Design (now the San Francisco Art Institute), later becoming director of instruction at the school.[1][2]
Career
editRollins was an itinerant painter who traveled extensively in the American West. He spent time in Taos in the 1890s, then settled in Southern California where he began painting Native American subjects.[1] He explored Arizona and lived among the Hopi for extended periods.[1]
In 1909, Rollins was painting in Taos with Bert Phillips and Ernest Blumenschein.[1] He believed Santa Fe, which had only two resident easel painters at the time, might be a good place to show his work. His Taos friends warned him that Santa Fe had no appreciation for art, but Phillips wrote him a letter of introduction to Territorial Governor Bradford Prince.[1] Rollins persuaded Prince to allow an exhibition at the new Museum of New Mexico — the first art show at the museum, an event that helped establish the foundation for the Santa Fe art colony.[1][3]
The museum's director, Edgar Hewett, gave Rollins temporary studio space in the Palace of the Governors and had him teaching art classes there, making Rollins one of the first to offer professional art instruction in Santa Fe.[1] In 1917, the Santa Fe Railroad provided him a studio at El Tovar on the rim of the Grand Canyon.[1][4]
Rollins painted in a post-impressionist style with straightforward compositions, slightly simplified drawing, and softened forms.[1] His palette was high-key, favoring strong greens, violets, blues, and oranges, particularly in his crayon drawings.[1] His early landscapes and Indian genre scenes used an earthy palette of soft brown, tan, and muted orange.[1]
During the 1910s and 1920s, Rollins divided his time between studios in Santa Fe, Phoenix, and Los Angeles.[1] By 1928, he had a wilderness studio at Chaco Canyon in northwestern New Mexico, where over six years he built a major body of work drawing and painting the Anasazi ruins.[1]
In 1935, Rollins developed a neurological disorder that caused his hands to shake, making oil painting difficult.[1] He switched to colored wax crayons, layering colors as he had with oils.[1] During the 1940s, he lived with his daughter in Baltimore and completed a marine series including a major work on the Mayflower.[1][2]
Rollins returned to Santa Fe in 1952 and spent his last decade drawing, teaching, and exhibiting.[1] He served as first president of the Santa Fe Art Club.[5] He continued to paint past his 97th birthday.[1]
Death
editRollins died at age 100 in Winslow, Arizona, in 1962.[2]
Legacy
editRollins is recognized as a founding member of the Santa Fe art colony, along with Carlos Vierra, Gerald Cassidy, Kenneth M. Chapman, and Sheldon Parsons.[6] He never made Santa Fe his permanent home, yet was considered "the Dean of the Santa Fe Art Colony" for his early contributions, lasting friendships with colony members, and extraordinary longevity.[1]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Carlos Vierra, Sheldon Parsons and Warren Rollins Set the Stage for the Santa Fe Art Colony". Traditional Fine Arts Organization. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Warren Eliphalet Rollins (1861–1962) Biography". Medicine Man Gallery. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Warren Eliphalet Rollins". John Moran Auctioneers. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Warren E. Rollins". Fine Art Dealers Association. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Warren E. Rollins". Addison Rowe Gallery. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Warren Rollins". Adobe Gallery. Retrieved June 17, 2026.
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Category:1861 births Category:1962 deaths Category:Artists from Santa Fe, New Mexico Category:San Francisco Art Institute alumni Category:American painters Category:Painters from New Mexico Category:People from Winslow, Arizona