Blanche McGaw: “Despondent” P1272

Blanche McGaw called this haunting portrait “Despondent.” Perhaps he’s a veteran, a postwar citizen of San Francisco, like she was. Perhaps there’s something else, something she saw in his eyes. Oil on canvas, 16" x 20". Framed, 21" x 23.5". Part of the exhibition of the Society for Sanity in Art, circa 1946-47 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco.

Blanche Evelyn Baldwin McGaw (1874 - 1954) was active/lived in California.  Blanche Evelyn McGaw is known for Painter, musician, writer.

Blanche Evelyn Baldwin McGaw was born in San Francisco, CA on March 18, 1874.  Blanche Baldwin was educated in the public schools of San Francisco and at the Mark Hopkins Institute.  She married artist John McGaw in 1898 and remained a resident of her native city until her death on Oct. 12, 1954.  She was also an accomplished musician and author of a book of poetry, Joys of Life Are Little Things. 

Exh:  SF Women Artists; Oakland Art Gallery, 1928; League of American Pen Women, De Young Museum, 1928; San Francisco Art Association, 1928; Santa Cruz Art League, 1934. 

Source: Edan Hughes, author of the book "Artists in California, 1786-1940"
California Arts & Architecture list, 1932; California State Library (Sacramento); Who's Who in California 1943;  SF Chronicle, 10-13-1954 (obit).