R. Atkinson Fox (Canadian, 1860-1935)

Oil on canvas, laid down, signedJ. Colvi (one of his many pseudonyms).

Fox received considerable recognition and success during his life as both a painter and illustrator. He was born and educated in Canada before immigrating to the United States. His artistic training began at the Ontario Society of Artists and concluded after a four year apprenticeship with J.W. Bridgman in Toronto.

After exhibiting at the Philadelphia Art Club in 1898, he became best known for the photolithographic reproductions of his work. More than 1,000 paintings have been credited to his hand. Prints of appealing scenes of cows, horses, dogs, Native Americans and bucolic landscapes were widely purchased by the American middle class.

Second only to the proliferation of his work was the multitude of pseudonyms he used. L.H. Banks, John Colvin, Arthur DeForest, Charles N. Wainwright, G. Blanchard Carr and Edward Musson were just a few of the 26 names he signed. It is suspected that there may be as many as 18 more that have not yet been identified.

Fox is listed in Who Was Who in American Art by Falk.