Albert Pinkham Ryder
(1847-1917)
Albert Pinkham Ryder, an American painter best known for his poetic and moody allegorical works and seascapes, was born on March 19, 1847. Ryder was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The Ryder family moved to New York City in 1867 or 1868 to join Ryder's elder brother who had opened a successful restaurant. His brother also opened The Hotel Albert in 1902. It was the place where Ryder lived and painted for many years. Ryder's early interest in art was nurtured in New York by the painter William E. Marshall. From 1870 to 1873, and again from 1874 to 1875, Ryder studied art at the National Academy of Design. He exhibited his first painting there in 1873 and met artist Julian Alden Weir, who became his lifelong friend. By 1878 Ryder had joined the newly-formed Society of American Artists. Ryder exhibited with this group from 1878 to 1887. The 1880s and 1890s are thought of as Ryder's most creative and artistically mature period. His paintings sometimes depicted scenes from literature, opera, and religion. After 1900 and for the rest of his life he spent his artistic energy on occasionally re-working existing paintings. In 1913, ten of his paintings were shown together in the historic Armory Show. By 1915 Ryder's health deteriorated and he died on March 28, 1917 at the home of a friend who was caring for him. A memorial exhibition of his work was held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1918.
