Jane Peterson

American, 1876-1965

Jane Peterson was an American painter whose vibrant, modernist vision bridged Impressionism, Fauvism, Art Nouveau, and Neo-Impressionism. Born in Elgin, Illinois, she trained at Pratt Institute (1895–1901) and continued her studies at the Art Students League under Frank DuMond. 

Embarking on a grand European tour from 1907, Peterson studied with noted artists including Joaquín Sorolla, Jacques-Émile Blanche, and André Lhote—each of whom is represented in past Doyle sales. While active in the Montparnasse salons of Paris, Peterson also met famous artists Picasso and Matisse. Her work from this period, featuring travel scenes, bright florals, and sunlit landscapes, displayed a bold palette and expressive brushwork rooted in direct observation. 

By 1910, critics noted that Peterson had moved beyond Impressionism, bringing greater self-awareness and feeling to her compositions. She balanced her dynamic style with teaching roles at the Art Students League and Brooklyn schools. In 1938, she became only the second woman to receive the American Historical Society’s Outstanding Individual award. 

Throughout her career, Peterson painted en plein air in Europe, Egypt, and American coastal and garden settings, yielding a diverse and adventurous body of work.