Summary Information

Title: George Morrison Collection

Inclusive Dates:  1849-1962

Creator: Various

Call Number: IR MSS 811

Quantity: 8 Folders

Repository: The Stuart B. Wrege Indiana History Room

Archival Location: 180 West Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana 47150

Language: English

Biography/Historical Note:

The fact that Morrison’s legacy lives on even today is testament to not only the great popularity he witnessed during his lifetime, but the fact that he was also exceptionally talented. Of course, like many memorable New Albanians, the painter wasn’t born a Hoosier. In 1820, Morrison entered this world as a Baltimorean. Several sources state that here he received his first formal training in the arts; with some believing he studied under the famed Maryland artists Rembrandt and Raphael Peale.

As was the custom of the time, a young Morrison packed up his brushes and easel and made his way out west to Connersville. One year later in 1840, the 20-year-old had for reasons unknown migrated to New Albany. Eventually a pretty local girl by the name of Lydia Maynard would catch his eye and his heart. Living their lives overlooking the Ohio on a robust property in Silver Hills, the couple had two children, a boy and a girl. Both went on to become artists themselves.

Yet, unlike his children, back when a young Morrison arrived in New Albany, no family support existed for him. Undeterred from his aspiration, he opened a studio and began to promote his business.

“He announced his arrival with a small advertisement in the New Albany Gazette and invited the public to examine specimens of his work at his studio on Main Street near Bank,” said a transcript from a 1970’s radio program about Morrison from The Historical Society and posted on the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library’s website. “The public liked what they saw, for commissions began coming in and many of the portraits he painted are still prize possessions of New Albany families.”

For more than 50 years, the city’s most famous artist did what he did best — he painted. Many prominent citizens of the age had their portraits done by Morrison. Owning the paintings back then represented more than just a fine appreciation for the arts. Possessing a framed piece meant you also had the affluence to afford to commission one. Even now, the paintings allow today’s viewers an insight into what well-off Victorians found important.

“Morrison had a knack of instilling his subjects with appearances of tranquility, making the finished product of each portrait appear inviting to viewers,” said David Condra in a transcription of a 2012 talk he gave entitled “George Morrison: New Albany’s 19th Century Portrait and Landscape Artist.” “The face is the focal point of each portrait, with hair and clothing commanding attention as well. Hair, clothing, jewelry painted in a subject’s portrait created a visual biography of that person, such as socio-economic status and cultural values.”

Perhaps his most famous painting was that of New Albany resident and Indiana’s 11th governor, Ashabel P. Willard, which still hangs in the Statehouse. To better understand Morrison’s style without traveling to Indianapolis, check out the NAFC Library. His works dot the hallways near the Indiana room. Four pieces damaged by vandals also remain in storage.

In addition to portraits, the local library has preserved some of Morrison’s landscape paintings. His view from Silver Hills inspired him to create a fantastic aerial view of New Albany, complete with riverboats sailing — and even one sinking — down the Ohio. Due to the prevalent river trade with the South, it’s been rumored that his paintings have been found as far away as New Orleans. For a time, the artist spent winters in the bayou city. But eventually, times would change for both the city and its famous inhabitant.

“Following the Civil War, New Albany’s economic boom ceased because of the decline in trade with the South,” said Estill Curtis Pennington in the book “Lessons in Likeness Portrait Painters in Kentucky and the Ohio River Valley 1802-1920.” “While Morrison’s portrait commissions dwindled in the face of competition from photography, he continued to be an active landscape and still-life painter whose work was much in demand.”

Painting well into his final years, sometimes with the use of a photograph to guide his work, Morrison died in December 1893 and was interred on his Silver Hills estate. Later, his body would be moved to Fairview Cemetery.

While always painting for the wealthy citizens of New Albany and gaining commercial success, the man whose obituary chronicled him as quiet and reserved in his manners would never become affluent himself. But money couldn’t have bought the artist his enduring legacy or the lingering historical significance of his paintings, something a local newspaper covering one of his landscape paintings hinted out more than 150 years ago.

“Twenty years hence this picture will be invaluable — when generations yet to be born will gaze with astonishment at the rapid growth of a city destined to become the great commercial emporium of the West, which is now but in her infancy,” said a reporter from a March 1853 edition of the New Albany Daily Ledger. “We hope all will go and see it.”

Taken verbatim from “New Albany Bicentennial: George Morrison” by Amanda Beam which appeared in the New Albany

Scope and Content Note:

The collection is an accrual of items about George Morrison. Of special interest there is information from Avesta Shields Nunnemacher who knew George Morrison personally while living on Silver Hills in New Albany. She wrote a bio of Morrison in 1919 and sent it to the library.

Arrangement:

Since it’s a subject collection and there really wasn’t an original order folders were put in alphabetical order inside the box.

Related Subject Terms:

  • Morrison, George W.
  • Art & Artists

Related Material:

  • George Morrison Biography File
  • Indiana Room Art Collection

Administrative/Restriction Information:

Access Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions:

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright of the state of Indiana which may be involved in the use of this collection.

Acquisition Information:

Accrued by library staff in the early to mid 1900’s.

Processing Information

Processed by, Matt Eidem, September, 2014

Contents List:

Box Title Folder
SC 006 An Evening with George Morrison Historical Society Program, 1994 01
SC 006 Bios Written by Avesta Shields Nunemacher, 1916 02
SC 006 Emma Carleton Letter about George Morrison and her Mother, 1916 03
SC 006 Harold Vawter Letter about Morrison Self-Portrait, 1938 04
SC 006 Kit Carson, 1962 05
SC 006 Painting Info, Undated 06
SC 006 Wilbur Peat Inquiring About 07
SC 006 Tribune Article on Morrison House Burning Down, 1849 08