Buried History

Upon numerous and repeated visits to the Fitchburg Art Museum, I commonly find a new work of art that catches my eye every time regardless of the section of the museum, and something that was previously overlooked always seems to catch my eye the next time around. Yes, the golden Egyptian chair that people get to sit in and take plenty pictures in to post on social media with a creative caption is always a viewer favorite, but upon my last visit, I noticed an “oil on canvas” painting of what seemed to be a very plain early 1900’s room.

What I had stumbled upon was a painting titled “My Studio” and it was dated to an earlier time than I had thought; 1891. Little did I know that this artwork was painted by none other than one of Fitchburg’s most celebrated citizens, artists, and founder of the Fitchburg Art Museum: Eleanor Norcross. This immediately made me dive into typing this post and into finding out as much about her and her impact on our city of Fitchburg and the beautiful museum so many of us love.

Ms. Eleanor Norcross was born on June 24th 1854 as Ella Augusta and spent most of her childhood growing up right here in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. She lived in two different homes during her early years, (both located right on Main Street in Fitchburg). You can still see a home where she spent many years growing, learning and developing her artistic skills and abilities, as it is a town house opposite Fitchburg’s Upper Common. Her schooling took her from Fitchburg Academy in high school to Wheaton Female Seminary and the Massachusetts Normal Art School for her collegiate experiences. In 1878, at the age of 24, Eleanor moved to New York City to attend classes at the Art Students’ League, where she would study and grow as an inspiring artist until the age of 29 where she continued her studies over seas in the nostalgic, art heaven of Paris, France.

This came as no shocker (her studies in Paris) as another one of her works at the Fitchburg Art Musuem is one of the most realistic and flawless paintings titled “Women in a [Paris] Garden” as seen below.

During the earlier part of her career Eleanor preferred to paint portraits. However after 1900 she painted mostly interior scenes and her paintings were exhibited almost annually in Paris from 1866 until her death in 1923. Living in both Paris and Fitchburg for most of her life she never got to see her dream of opening an art center fulfilled due to her passing. Despite this, her bequest of her collections and funds made it possible to open the Fitchburg Art Center in 1929 - “For the joy and inspiration of art.” In 1951 The Fitchburg Art Center became the Fitchburg Art Museum, where Eleanor’s legacy lives on.

It’s truly amazing how keeping an open eye can lead you to discovering historical artworks around every corner of the Fitchburg Art Museum. These paintings done by Eleanor Norcross have such great fluidity and precision. “Carpeaux Sevres” and “Tapestry” are more vibrant works that help a mind dive into her point of view. The diversity and quality throughout the Fitchburg Art Museum help deliver a creative learning opportunity for those who go beyond the art.

For more information on Eleanor Norcross please visit: http://www.fitchburgartmuseum.org/eleanor-norcross.php

#FAM