women artists

Archives as a Springboard: How PAFA Helped Reclaim Susan H. Bradley’s Legacy

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Digging into the life and work of watercolorist Susan H. Bradley, Andrea Sluder West brings fresh attention to a largely forgotten talent. Using the archives at PAFA, she pieces together Bradley’s journey—from her training and exhibitions to her role as a mentor. The blog Meet Susan H. Bradley, Trailblazing Watercolor Artist doesn’t just celebrate Bradley’s art; it shows how institutional archives like PAFA’s can help recover the stories of women artists who shaped American art but were left out of its mainstream narrative.

Read the full blog here: https://artherstory.net/meet-susan-h-bradley-trailblazing-watercolor-artist

Newly processed collection: Jessie Willcox Smith periodical illustrations

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Contributed by Hoang Tran, Director of Archives

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The Dorothy and Kenneth Woodcock Archives recently acquired a collection of periodical illustrations by PAFA Alumna Jessie Willcox Smith 1863-1935). Compiled by a collector over many years, the illustrations eventually made its way here after the estate donated it to PAFA.

Smith was a prolific illustrator during the late 19th, early 20th centuries. Her work has been published in many of the leading magazines of the time including Collier’s, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Woman’s Home Companion, and Ladies’ Home Journal.

Researchers can access the finding aid for the collection here: Collection of Jessie Willcox Smith periodical illustrations (MS.2018.01)

PAFA’s Archives also has a small collection of Jessie Willcox Smith personal papers (MS.026).