Artist:
Charlotte Harding
(American, 1873 - 1951)
Field Day at Vassar
Medium: Charcoal on paper mounted on acid free ragboard
Date: 1903
Dimensions:
19 × 19 1/4 in. (48.3 × 48.9 cm)
Accession number: 72.6.2
Label Copy:
Charlotte Harding’s artistic talent was noticeable from an early age, and while still a teenager she was encouraged by a family friend to pursue this interest professionally. Her parents were less enthusiastic but allowed her to apply to the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art). She was accepted and earned a scholarship in 1889.
It was very difficult for a woman to enter the art profession and the future for women artists was often uncertain. The art organizations and auxiliary groups in Philadelphia at the time were exclusively for men until the founding of the Plastic Club, organized by and for women in 1897. Harding was a founding member of the club, as well as a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and was enrolled in Howard Pyle’s illustration class at Drexel. She achieved national recognition as an illustrator for her bold graphics, decorative linework and flat color patterns.
An illustration for the article "Athletics for College Girls" in "Century" magazine in May 1903, the drawing represents an annual event, first held in 1895, and organized by the Vassar College Athletic Association. Vassar was the first women’s college to hold this traditional student athletic competition, and it quickly became a popular part of women’s college experience. The two young women depicted running the hurdles in this drawing wear their gym uniforms of voluminous bloomers which, no doubt, made jumping a challenge.
Charlotte Harding’s artistic talent was noticeable from an early age, and while still a teenager she was encouraged by a family friend to pursue this interest professionally. Her parents were less enthusiastic but allowed her to apply to the Philadelphia School of Design for Women (now Moore College of Art). She was accepted and earned a scholarship in 1889.
It was very difficult for a woman to enter the art profession and the future for women artists was often uncertain. The art organizations and auxiliary groups in Philadelphia at the time were exclusively for men until the founding of the Plastic Club, organized by and for women in 1897. Harding was a founding member of the club, as well as a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and was enrolled in Howard Pyle’s illustration class at Drexel. She achieved national recognition as an illustrator for her bold graphics, decorative linework and flat color patterns.
An illustration for the article "Athletics for College Girls" in "Century" magazine in May 1903, the drawing represents an annual event, first held in 1895, and organized by the Vassar College Athletic Association. Vassar was the first women’s college to hold this traditional student athletic competition, and it quickly became a popular part of women’s college experience. The two young women depicted running the hurdles in this drawing wear their gym uniforms of voluminous bloomers which, no doubt, made jumping a challenge.
Curatorial RemarksCharlotte Harding achieved success as an artist and illustrator during a brief career from 1900 to 1915. Although influenced by both her teacher, Howard Pyle, and her mentor, Alice Barber Stephens, Harding developed her own elegant style based on decorative line and flattened areas of color.
As with most early-twentieth century women illustrators, Harding's subjects were mainly women and children. "Field Day at Vassar" accompanied an article about women's colleges.
As with most early-twentieth century women illustrators, Harding's subjects were mainly women and children. "Field Day at Vassar" accompanied an article about women's colleges.