The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) houses this portrait of William Lewis Stanton II (1894-1958), which was painted by his elder sister, Lucy May Stanton (1875-1931). Best known for her miniature portraits, Stanton also created oil, pastel, and watercolor works in a variety of sizes. Stanton began her professional career in 1896, during a revival of the art form during the Arts and Crafts movement in the US. The portrait points to several moments in Georgia and American history.

“With portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Lucy May Stanton’s artistic output is represented in some of the finest art museums in the United States,” said Nate Pedersen, GHS Manager of Archival and Reference Team. “The Georgia Historical Society is also proud to be an owner of a Stanton portrait, so we can preserve and display a painting in her home state. What makes this portrait special is the fact that it portrays a Georgia veteran, William Lewis Stanton II, who served in World War I. We are honored to be the custodians of this artistic and historical legacy from one of our state’s preeminent artists and are grateful to the donor, Katherine S. Bell, for donating it here so we can preserve it for future generations.”

William II was Stanton’s half-brother, named for their father, William Lewis Stanton I (1844-1909). William I married twice and had five children. Lucy and William II were bookends, with Lucy being the eldest daughter and William II being the youngest son, nineteen years Stanton’s junior. This was not the first time Stanton painted her siblings. Her early miniatures were of her sister, Willie.

By the time she painted this portrait of William II, Stanton resided in both Athens, Georgia, and Boston, Massachusetts, a key location for the miniature revival where many successful women artists lived. She had become an award-winning professional artist, known internationally for her miniatures in watercolor on ivory.

Across the Atlanta Ocean, World War I was also raging, and the Unites States formally entered “the Great War” in April 1917. William joined the United States Army, becoming a 2^nd Lieutenant with Company D of the 304th Engineers, 79th Division. He was to be shipped to France on July 9, 1918. While overseas, the 304^th Engineers participated in the Muesse-Argonne Offensive, which was part of the final Allied offensive that helped end the war. Considered the largest American Expeditionary Forces operation during World War I, more than a million American soldiers participated.

Learn more about the William Lewis Stanton II portrait in the GHS collection.