One of the vanguards of modern art, Randall Davey was born in East Orange,
New Jersey in 1887. His decision to become an artist led
him to New York and Robert Henri. Henri’s belief that art ought
to find its sources in the daily lives of people can be clearly
seen in Davey’s works.
In 1920 Randall Davey purchased the property and converted the sawmill
into his home. He lived and painted here for the next 44
years. Two murals,
“Burros Eating Pears” and the frog on the studio door were
both painted by Davey soon after acquiring the property.
Jim Doyle and Brian Long have since restored the burros.
1887: |
Born May 24th in East Orange, New Jersey. |
1905-1907: |
Studied architecture at Cornell University; received
an “Honorable Dismissal.” |
1908: |
Began studying art with Robert Henri at the New York
School of Art. |
1910: |
Traveled with Henri in Holland and Spain; participated
in the group exhibition, Independent Artists, in April. |
1911: |
Married Florence Nicks Sittenham of New York on May
19. That summer Davey painted with Henri and Bellows
on Montiegan Island, Maine. |
1912: |
Appointed assistant instructor in Henri's summer painting
classes in Spain; acquired residence on West 14th Street,
New York City. |
1913: |
A son, William, is born on March 20th. |
1915: |
Received second Julius Hallgarten Prize from National
Academy of Design, for Young Woman in Brown,
and Honorable Mention from Panama Pacific Exposition
for Lighthouse Keeper. Davey along with John
Sloan, George Bellows, Henri and Charles Winter establish
a formula for a color system based on the thesis of H.G.
Maratta. |
1916: |
Member of Board of Directors of Independent Artists;
painting trip to Gloucester, Mass. with Sloan and Bellows. |
1917: |
Spent several months in Cuba—painting in Havana. |
1919: |
Motor trip from New York to Santa Fe with John Sloan.
In the fall, he taught at the School of Art, Art Institute
of Chicago |
1920: |
In the spring, he was a special instructor at the Art
Institute of Chicago. He then departed Chicago and moved
to Santa Fe. |
1921: |
Became a member of the Taos Society of Artists. |
1921-1924: |
Taught at the Kansas City Art Institute. |
1924: |
Became a member of New Mexico Painters. |
1925: |
Served on the committee to organize the Bellows. |
1930: |
Divorced from Florence. |
1931: |
Member of selection committee of the Broadmoor Art
Academy. Served as a juror for the Carnegie International
Exhibition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. |
1932: |
Married Isabel Holt. |
1934: |
Daveys in New Orleans (February) while Davey works
on a mural for the New Mexico Military Institute—a
government commission. |
1937: |
Associate, National Academy of Design; painted murals
for Will Rogers Shrine, Claremore, Oklahoma. |
1938: |
National Academician and Thomas B. Clarke American
Figure Composition Prize, National Academy of Design,
for Goose Hunters. Served as juror, Pennsylvania
Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, exhibition. 1939
Served as a juror, The Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington,
DC, Biennial Exhibition. |
1945-1956 |
Taught painting at the University of New Mexico. |
1957: |
Elected honorary member, School of American Research,
Santa Fe, New Mexico. |
1961-1962: |
Davey becomes a member of the Board of Directors of
Santa Fe Opera. He designed the covers for the 1961-1962
programs. |
1963: |
In September, Isabel dies in the Bernalillo County
Indian Hospital at age 70. |
1964: |
Randall Davey dies at age 77. |
