Ruth Wilcox (Dawes)

Artist Biography

In Ruth Wilcox Dawes’ portrait of Grant Reynard, the sitter is dressed rather formally in a suit and tie, but his pose is casual, with one arm draped over the back of his chair while he leans against it for comfort and support. His expression is direct but familiar, his eyebrow arched as if amused. Behind him, the edge of a framed artwork is visible. Without any additional information, it is unclear if the artwork is meant to signify something or if it was merely included to liven up the background. But with the introduction of additional details, a closer reading of the painting comes to life. The sitter of Dawes’ portrait is fellow artist Grant Reynard, a prolific painter, printmaker, illustrator, and lecturer active primarily in Chicago, New Jersey, and New York from the 1910s until his death in 1968. The painter of his portrait, Ruth Wilcox Dawes, was also an artist active in the New Jersey and New York area. Although the history of how Reynard’s portrait came to be and the connection between the two artists remains a mystery for further research, the painting was part of Reynard’s personal collection at the time of his passing. One might conclude that Reynard knew and respected Ruth Wilcox Dawes as an artist, a reading that seems even more convincing by revisiting the ease of his posture and directness of his gaze.