Updated November 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 56 works by Robert Vonnoh in our catalogue
In short
Of all the originals Robert Vonnoh left, the most famous is The Ring (1892). Close behind it come La Mere Adele (Cordon Bleu) (1911) and November (1890). Our catalog holds 56 works by Robert Vonnoh; the gallery has kept the 49 the world admires most, each shown with its date, its museum and its story.
The Ring by Robert Vonnoh depicts a group of women situated within a field. In the background, several trees rise above the landscape. The scene contains four primary female figures engaged in distinct activities. One woman sits on the ground holding a basket, while another woman stands in close proximity to her. A third woman is positioned under a tree, appearing to rest or observe her surroundings. A fourth woman…
An elderly woman sits before us, her presence heavy with the weight of years. She is shrouded in a dark cloak that spills over her shoulders, its deep folds creating a sense of quiet seclusion. The light falls softly upon her face, catching the delicate, weathered textures of her skin and the gentle lines that map a lifetime of experience. There is a profound stillness in her gaze, a contemplative…
In November by Robert Vonnoh, the landscape settles into a quiet, autumnal stillness. The scene captures a garden or orchard setting where the air feels heavy with the cool, overcast light of the season. A solitary figure, likely a gardener, moves within a fenced area, tending to the earth. This presence introduces a sense of quietude and the cyclical rhythm of the seasons. The composition is structured by the verticality…
In this portrait of Edward H. Coates, Robert Vonnoh captures a man of significant presence and quiet gravity. Created about 1893, the work presents the subject in a moment of stillness. Edward H. Coates, a prominent American businessman and financier, sits before us with a composed and serious expression. His gaze and posture suggest a life defined by responsibility and the weight of decision-making. The artist focuses on the man…
The oil on canvas painting titled Bessie Potter Vonnoh at Her Dressing Table features Bessie Potter Vonnoh as the subject. Created in 1912, this work depicts the woman in a private, domestic setting. The portrait captures her seated at a dressing table, positioned in profile toward the left side of the frame.
is an oil on canvas by the American Impressionist Robert Vonnoh. Created about 1907–11, the work reflects the artist's engagement with the Impressionist movement during his time in France.
Moist Weather (France)1890
12
Companion of the Studio1888 · Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
13
Girl with Poppies1888
14
Peasant's Garden1890
15
La Sieste1887
16
Trees at Gertz1890
17
Jerome A. Eddy, Sr.1894
18
Apple Bloom1903 · Minneapolis Institute of Art
19
Teacher going home
20
Portrait of Bessie Potter Vonnoh1907
21
Early Spring, Pleasant Valley, Connecticut1916
22
A Late Autumn Epic1918
23
Leah1923
24
Poppies in France1888
25
Attunement (Pleasant Valley)
26
Haystacks, Lachant, Ile-de-France
27
Landscape with Stone Wall
28
Misty Morn
29
Eventide
30
Spring Landscape With Blossoms
31
Lingering Rain, Moon And Eventide
32
The Fagot Gatherer, Grez
33
PoppiesIndianapolis Museum of Art
34
Fire Opal
35
Clouds and Glow, Autumn, France
36
Haystacks under a Rainy Sky
37
A New England Valley
38
Late for School
39
Turquoise, Rose and Gold
40
At eventime
41
Tender Days
42
Grez-sur-Loing
43
Afternoon shadows, grez, france
44
Autumn hillside ^ my studio
45
The Athenaum
46
Late Autumn
47
Beside the River (Grez)
48
Springtime
49
In Flanders Field-Where Soldiers Sleep and Poppies Grow, PoppiesButler Institute of American Art
The four subjects that come back most often in these originals, each with its finest example.
The 7 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Robert Vonnoh | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts |
Philadelphia | 3 | November, Edward H. Coates, Companion of the Studio |
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 2 | La Mere Adele (Cordon Bleu), The Bridge at Grez |
 Indianapolis Museum of Art |
Indianapolis | 2 | Poppies, Poppies |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 1 | Springtime in France |
 Art Institute of Chicago |
Chicago | 1 | Spring in France |
 Minneapolis Institute of Art |
Minneapolis | 1 | Apple Bloom |
 Butler Institute of American Art |
Mahoning County | 1 | In Flanders Field-Where Soldiers Sleep and Poppies Grow, Poppies |
Pick a decade to see the original that defines it.
The Ring by Robert Vonnoh depicts a group of women situated within a field. In the background, several trees rise above the landscape. The scene contains four primary female figures engaged in distinct activities. One woman sits on the ground holding a basket, while another woman stands in close proximity to her. A third woman is positioned under a tree, appearing to rest or observe her surroundings. A fourth woman…
is an oil on canvas by the American Impressionist Robert Vonnoh. Created about 1907–11, the work reflects the artist's engagement with the Impressionist movement during his time in France.
An elderly woman sits before us, her presence heavy with the weight of years. She is shrouded in a dark cloak that spills over her shoulders, its deep folds creating a sense of quiet seclusion. The light falls softly upon her face, catching the delicate, weathered textures of her skin and the gentle lines that map a lifetime of experience. There is a profound stillness in her gaze, a contemplative…
The Ring (1892). La Mere Adele (Cordon Bleu) (1911) and November (1890) come next.
34 years old: The Ring dates from 1892, and Robert Vonnoh was born in 1858.
The Ring, La Mere Adele (Cordon Bleu), November, Edward H. Coates, Bessie Potter Vonnoh at Her Dressing Table, The Bridge at Grez, The Mill, Poppies, Springtime in France and Spring in France. The ranking above gives each one's year and museum.
Our catalog holds 56 works by Robert Vonnoh, dated from 1884 to 1923.
Mostly in Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Philadelphia), Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and Indianapolis Museum of Art (Indianapolis). The museum table above lists them all.
In 1890s: 9 of the 49 works on this page were made then, The Ring among them.
On this page, the earliest is The Mill (1884) and the latest Leah (1923).
France (4), Flowers (4) and Autumn (4), across the 49 works on this page.
Oil On Canvas, for 5 of the 49 works on this page.
Impressionism, judging by the originals on this page.
November, Edward H. Coates and Companion of the Studio: the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia holds 3 of the works on this page.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1858, Robert William Vonnoh’s artistic journey was a testament to the evolving landscape of American art at the turn of the century. His early life, marked by a family upheaval following his father's legal troubles, instilled within him a keen observation of human nature and a desire to capture authentic emotion – qualities that would profoundly shape his distinctive style. Initially trained in Boston at the Massachusetts Normal Art School, Vonnoh’s artistic sensibilities were further refined during a pivotal period in Paris, where he immersed himself in the vibrant Impressionist movement. This exposure wasn't merely an aesthetic adoption; it represented a conscious rejection of the rigid academic traditions that still dominated the American art scene.
Vonnoh’s Parisian sojourn proved transformative. He found kinship with artists who prioritized capturing fleeting moments and atmospheric effects, embracing broken brushstrokes and vibrant color palettes – techniques he would later integrate into his own work. Crucially, however, Vonnoh never fully abandoned the more traditional elements of portraiture and landscape painting that had characterized his earlier training. This synthesis—a willingness to experiment with Impressionistic principles while retaining a grounding in classical composition and subject matter—became a hallmark of his artistic identity.
In 1887, Vonnoh embarked on what would become a defining chapter of his career: relocating to Grez-sur-Loing, a small village in the Loire Valley of France. This idyllic setting, already renowned as an artists’ colony, provided Vonnoh with unparalleled opportunities for plein air painting and fostered a deep connection with fellow creatives. The atmosphere of Grez—characterized by its relaxed pace, vibrant social life, and abundance of natural beauty—proved profoundly influential on his artistic development. It was here that he began to loosen the constraints of academic formality, embracing looser brushwork, brighter colors, and a more direct approach to depicting the world around him.
The most iconic testament to this period is undoubtedly *In Flanders Field* (1890), a monumental canvas depicting a vast field of poppies bathed in the golden light of late afternoon. The painting’s dramatic use of cadmium red, combined with Vonnoh's expressive brushstrokes and dynamic composition, immediately garnered critical acclaim. Yet, despite its success at exhibitions and within prominent collections, *In Flanders Field* remained unsold for decades, a poignant reflection of the challenges faced by American artists attempting to gain recognition in the European art world.
While *In Flanders Field* stands as his most celebrated work, Vonnoh’s artistic output encompassed a diverse range of subjects. He excelled equally as a portrait painter and a landscape artist, demonstrating a remarkable versatility in his technique and approach. His portraits—often characterized by their psychological depth and subtle nuances of expression—captured the essence of his sitters with remarkable sensitivity. Simultaneously, his landscapes—ranging from serene rural scenes to dramatic depictions of the French countryside—exhibited a masterful command of light, color, and atmosphere.
His work in the American East Coast was equally notable. He taught at various institutions including the Massachusetts Normal Art School, Cowles Art School, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, imparting his artistic knowledge to generations of aspiring artists. His influence extended beyond the classroom, as he actively participated in the art community through exhibitions and collaborations.
Robert William Vonnoh’s legacy is one of quiet significance. He wasn't a flamboyant revolutionary or a figurehead of any particular movement, but rather a skilled and observant artist who quietly bridged the gap between Impressionism and American realism. His work reflects the evolving artistic sensibilities of his time—a willingness to embrace new techniques while retaining a deep respect for tradition.
His retrospective exhibitions in Chicago and Youngstown, Ohio, in 2010, brought renewed attention to his oeuvre, revealing the depth and complexity of his artistic vision. Today, Vonnoh’s paintings are housed in prestigious collections across North America and Europe, serving as a testament to his enduring contribution to American art history. *In Flanders Field*, finally finding its permanent home at the Butler Institute of American Art, stands as a powerful symbol of his artistic journey—a vibrant reminder of the beauty and emotional resonance that can be found in the simplest of subjects.
