Arthur Quartley: A Life in Marine Painting

Arthur Quartley (1839-1886) was an American painter celebrated for his evocative seascapes. His work captures the beauty and power of the marine environment, particularly along the coasts of Chesapeake Bay, Long Island, and New England.

Early Life and Education

Born in Paris, France, in 1839, Quartley spent his early childhood immersed in European culture before his family relocated to Baltimore, Maryland, when he was twelve years old. His artistic journey began under the tutelage of his father, Frederick William Quartley, an English engraver. His father instilled a rigorous work ethic, reportedly demanding two drawings per week from young Arthur.

At age seventeen, Quartley apprenticed as a sign painter in Baltimore, gaining practical skills that would later inform his artistic endeavors. However, his passion lay with painting, and he increasingly focused on capturing the marine landscapes of Chesapeake Bay.

Establishing a Career

• In 1862, Quartley co-founded the design firm Emmart & Quartley in Baltimore, which quickly became renowned as the city’s leading decorating company.
• Despite his success in the decorative arts, Quartley dedicated himself to painting marine scenes, holding a successful exhibition of his work at Norval H. Busey's studio in Baltimore.

Scholar Elizabeth Johns noted that Quartley’s paintings demonstrate a clear familiarity with the compositional techniques and treatment of light and color characteristic of Dutch marine masters.

Move to New York and Artistic Development

In 1875, seeking greater opportunities and artistic stimulation, Quartley moved to New York City. This move coincided with a shift in the American art scene, as the influence of the Hudson River School began to wane and new artistic groups emerged.

From New York, Quartley painted seascapes across various coastal regions:

• Long Island bays
• New York Harbor
• The Isle of Shoals in New Hampshire
• Naragansett Bay in Rhode Island

The Tilers and Artistic Community

Quartley became a founding member of The Tilers, a unique group comprised of artists and writers, including luminaries such as Winslow Homer, William Merritt Chase, and Augustus Saint-Gaudens. They met regularly to exchange ideas, decorate ceramic tiles – promoting their work through this innovative medium – and embark on painting excursions.

A notable excursion in 1878 took Quartley and ten other artists to Eastern Long Island, where he created both seascape paintings and a blue-painted tile depicting an introspective girl at the beach. Journalist and philanthropist John W. McCoy actively supported the careers of Quartley and sculptor William H. Rinehart.

Recognition and Legacy

• In 1876, Quartley was elected to the National Academy, a testament to his growing reputation within the art world.
• He was included among sixty-eight painters featured in the publication American Painters (1880), solidifying his position as a prominent figure in American art.

Some of Quartley’s most noteworthy canvases include:

• Early Moonlight, Naragansett Bay (1877)
• Afternoon in August, Coast of Maine (1878)
• Low Country on the North Shore of Long Island (1881)

Arthur Quartley’s work offers a captivating glimpse into 19th-century American marine painting. His ability to capture the subtle nuances of light and atmosphere, combined with his technical skill, continues to resonate with art enthusiasts today.