Papers of Stansmore Stevenson

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Burkhauser 191, 207-9

Born on the 3rd June 1866, Stansmore Dean studied at the Glasgow School of Art from 1883-1889 where she was a contemporary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, David Gauld, Bessie MacNicol and Margaret Rowat, the latter becoming a close friend. In 1890, she became the first woman to win a Haldane Travelling Scholarship. This enabled her to spend some time in Paris studying under August Courtois at Colarossi's. Shortly after her return to Glasgow she opened a studio at 180 West Regent Street. Most summers were spent in the South of France, Brittany and Holland. In 1902 she became the second wife of Robert Macaulay Stevenson. Her early work may have been influenced by James McNeill Whistler who was President of the International Society at the time Dean's work was exhibited there. As a member of the Glasgow Society of Lady Artists, she was elected convenor of their decoration Committee in 1908 formed to supervise alterations to their property at 5 Blythswood Square. She was convinced that the work should be given to Charles Rennie Mackintosh but the President and Council disagreed so she resigned. A neglected artist, the delicacy and quality of whose work will undoubtedly find her reinstated.