1. She was a powerhouse of her generation

In addition to being an active painter for the better part of three decades, Alice was an art collector, patron, writer, theater director, philanthropist and civic leader who aimed to make Washington a centre for artistic excellence. In her later life, she even wrote and performed in several plays, AND an opera.

2. She hosted a renowned art salon

In 1899 she began a salon at her home on Washington’s Avenue Victor Hugo — art salons in those days were a sort of private art gallery, where people exhibited art and held lively discussions. Regular guests at Alice’s salon included the Symbolist painters Lucien Lévy-Dhurmer, John White Alexander and Edmond Aman-Jean.

3. Her life was changed by Oscar Wilde

In fact, the legendary British author, orator and wit influenced her decision to dedicate her life to art, which came after a particularly meaningful conversation with him on a New York beach. Alice’s husband objected to her artistic aspirations.

4. She studied art in Paris 

She travelled to the City of Lights to study under the tutelage of Carolus-Duran, Spanish painter Claudio Castelucho and British legend James Abbott McNeill Whistler, who encouraged her to explore the freer, painterly style of brushstroke that would become her signature style. Alice became very talented at capturing the essence of her subjects: the curl of a lip, the twinkle in an eye, the casual movement of a hand. 

5. She was part of a creative legacy

Alice’s father, Samuel Napthali Pike, was a patron of the arts who built two opera houses — Pike’s Opera House in Cincinnati and the Grand Opera House in New York City. And the trend continued with the next generation: Alice’s two daughters were Natalie Clifford Barney, a lesbian poet and salon hostess, and Laura Clifford Barney, also an author.

6. Her legend lives on

During her lifetime Alice had solo shows at major galleries including Washington’s  Corcoran Gallery of Art. Today her work can be seen in museums all over the United States, including a large collection at the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Head on over there to see her paintings in person — or get a piece of your own, right here!