Laura Coombs Hills

American, 1859 - 1952

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Born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1859, Laura Hills left an indelible mark on the art world with her expertise in miniature painting and a lifelong passion for pastels. Beyond her miniature masterpieces, she dedicated her later years to crafting enchanting "portraits of flowers."

Laura Hills initiated her artistic journey under the guidance of Helen Mary Knowlton, the most significant student of William Morris Hunt. Furthering her education, she honed her skills at the Cowles Art School and the Art Students League, studying under the renowned William Merritt Chase. Hills garnered numerous medals of honor throughout her career, showcasing her exceptional talent. In 1899, she played a pivotal role in founding the American Society of Miniature Painters, serving as its inaugural vice-president. Her affiliations extended to the Woman's Art Club and as an Associate Member of the National Academy of Design.

Hills gained widespread acclaim for her exhibitions at Doll & Richards, the Copley Gallery, and the Guild of Boston Artists, known for their swift "sell-outs." Her artistic prowess graced the National Academy of Design, the Pennsylvania Society of Miniature Painters, and the Boston Society of Arts and Crafts. Remarkably, she continued to unveil new works until 1947, even at the age of eighty-eight.

Laura Hills' artistry is immortalized in public and private collections, including the esteemed Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Notably featured in "The Bostonians: Painters of an Elegant Age, 1870-1930," her works captivated audiences as the exhibition traveled from the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to the Denver Art Museum and the Terra Museum of American Art, Chicago.

A Boston Herald editorial in November 1939 praised Hills for infusing "dancing sunlight and vibrant atmosphere" into her paintings, declaring her unequalled among American flower artists. Laura Coombs Hills remains a sought-after figure, leaving an enduring legacy as one of the country's premier flower artists.