Mary Louise Mclaughlin

Place: Cincinnati

Born: 1847

Death: 1939

Biography:

Mary Louise McLaughlin was a renowned American ceramic painter and studio potter from Cincinnati, Ohio. Born on September 29, 1847, she was one of the originators of the art pottery movement that swept the United States. Her contributions to the field of ceramic painting are still celebrated today, with her works featured in various museums, including the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Early Life and Career

McLaughlin was born into a wealthy family, with her father being the owner of a successful dry goods company. She showed an artistic ability at a young age and did not take formal art lessons until 1871 at a private school for girls. In 1874, she took a china painting class offered by Mr. Benn Pitman at the McMicken School of Design, later the Art Academy of Cincinnati. This marked the beginning of her interest in painting china.

Rise to Prominence

In 1875, McLaughlin's works were featured alongside those of Maria Longworth Nichols Storer at The Centennial Tea Party, where they received critical acclaim. In 1876, both women had exhibitions at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McLaughlin was especially taken by the works presented by Haviland & Co. of France, who showcased pieces that featured paintings using the underglaze technique. She returned to Cincinnati with the determination to figure out the secret to their method. In 1877, McLaughlin worked out how to paint the porcelain under the glaze, becoming the first artist in the United States to implement the underglaze technique. This led to her founding the Cincinnati Pottery Club in 1879, along with Clara Chipman Newton and others.

Notable Works and Techniques

Some of McLaughlin's notable works include Plaque: Portrait of Esther McLaughlin (The Artist), created in 1882, which is housed at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Her Ali Baba Vase, created in 1880, was one of her most celebrated pieces and featured loosely painted hibiscus flowers on a sage green ground. McLaughlin's techniques were innovative for her time. She wrote several books on pottery decoration and china painting, including China Painting: A Practical Manual for the Use of Amateurs in the Decoration of Hard Porcelain (1880) and Pottery Decoration under the Glaze (1880).

Legacy

McLaughlin's legacy can be seen in her contributions to the field of ceramic painting. She was a pioneer in the barbotine technique and one of the originators of the art pottery movement in the United States. Her works continue to inspire artists today, with many of her pieces featured in museums such as the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery. For more information on Mary Louise McLaughlin's life and work, visit https://Wikioo.org/@/Mary-Louise-Mclaughlin or https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Louise_McLaughlin. Some of her notable works can be found at:

• Cincinnati Art Museum: Plaque: Portrait of Esther McLaughlin (The Artist)
• Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery: Various works by McLaughlin and other artists

• September 29, 1847: Mary Louise McLaughlin was born
• 1871: McLaughlin took formal art lessons at a private school for girls
• 1874: McLaughlin took a china painting class offered by Mr. Benn Pitman
• 1875: McLaughlin's works were featured alongside those of Maria Longworth Nichols Storer at The Centennial Tea Party
• 1876: McLaughlin had an exhibition at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• 1877: McLaughlin worked out how to paint the porcelain under the glaze
• 1880: McLaughlin created her celebrated Ali Baba Vase
• January 19, 1939: Mary Louise McLaughlin passed away