Alberta Binford McCloskey (1863-1911)
William Joseph McCloskey (1859-1941)
Born in Philadelphia in 1859, William Joseph McCloskey studied art there before marrying another artist, Alberta Binford. The two moved to Los Angeles, where they opened a studio and quickly rose to the top of their profession in the southern California art scene. The McCloskeys eventually moved to New York around 1885, thus beginning the nomadic life that would characterize their careers.
Both William and Alberta focused on still lifes and portraiture. Their two styles were very closely related; both artists learned from one another and even collaborated on several portraits. During their time in New York, William began to paint the still lifes of fruit for which he is now famous. The origin of the wrapped fruit may have been in McCloskey’s experiences in California, where he might have seen first-hand the way in which oranges were packed and shipped.
The great French painter, Jean Leon Gerome, who had attended their studio opening and who rarely wrote recommendation letters, wrote on June 19, 1893, “I went to the studio of Mr. J. Closkey [sic.] and Mrs. A. B. Closkey [sic.], who had been recommended by my student Eakins, who taught them art. I saw their works of art, and viewed them with interest because they deserve serious consideration. There is in their paintings a great sense of truth, and [one] gets from them a sincere impression of nature. Mr. and Mrs. Closkey [sic.] are capable of giving good advice and are very apt teachers of young people who couldn’t but benefit from their guidance and counsel. It gives me great pleasure to give them the present certificate. M. Gerome, Member of the Institut, Professor of the National School of Fine Arts.” (Partners in Illusion – Alberta Binford and Wiliam J. McCloskey, Nancy Dustin Wall Moure, The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, Santa Ana, California, 1996, p. 29) The McCloskeys proudly displayed this letter for the rest of their careers.
Information courtesy of Skinner Inc. and Shannon’s Fine Art Auctioneers, 2006