Ellsworth Woodward (American, 1861 to 1939)
Ellsworth Woodward and his brother William were two of the most influential figures in the New Orleans art community. Ellsworth studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design and later in the studios of Samuel Richards and Carl Marr in Munich, Germany. He accepted a position as a professor of art at Tulane in 1885, a year after his brother had joined the faculty. The brothers were instrumental in the organization of Newcomb College and created an art program that provided educational and business opportunities for young women. The Newcomb Art School focused on principles of drawing, painting, design, and crafts. The pottery department, established by Ellsworth and William, produced the internationally recognized Newcomb Pottery
In 1890 Ellsworth was promoted to dean of the Newcomb School of Art, a position he maintained for forty years. An active member of the art community, Ellsworth was instrumental in the founding of many art organizations including the Southern States Art League, Artists’ Association of New Orleans, and the Isaac Delgado Museum of Art. He published the art and literary magazine “Arts and Letters” with fellow artist Bror Wikstrom, and painted murals for the criminal courts building at Broad Street and Tulane Avenue. Frequently honored for his contribution to the arts, he was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the directorship of the Gulf States Public Works of Art Project which provided assistance to unemployed artists.
Information courtesy of New Orleans Auction, May 2006.