The most famous artists with works in the Reading Public Museum are Edgar Degas, James McNeill Whistler, Frederic Edwin Church and Charles-François Daubigny.
Below, the 25 best-known of the 239 artists with works of the Reading Public Museum in our catalogue (424 works), each with what the museum holds of them.
The masters of the originals
The 10 masters whose originals hang in the Reading Public Museum
For each master: where and when they were born, their movement, how many originals the museum keeps in our catalogue, a note from their life, and the originals to see.
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Impressionism
1. Edgar Degas 1834–1917
1834–1917 Born in Paris, France Impressionism 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
French Realist known for capturing the movement of ballet dancers and racehorses through precise draftsmanship and artificial light. A child is born into a moderately wealthy family to Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Tonalism
2. James McNeill Whistler 1834–1903
1834–1903 Born in Lowell, United States Tonalism 7 originals at the Reading Public Museum
James Abbott McNeill Whistler was born on July 10, 1834, in Lowell, Massachusetts. In 1842, the family moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, a transition that would fundamentally alter the course of the young boy's life. Life took a difficult turn in 1849 when his father died from cholera. In 1855, Whistler left the familiar surroundings of his youth to move to Paris, a city where he could finally devote himself entirely to his art.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Hudson River School
3. Frederic Edwin Church 1826–1900
1826–1900 Born in Hartford, United States Hudson River School 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
American Hudson River School painter of luminous, detailed landscapes and dramatic panoramas, from the Andes to the Arctic icebergs. Frederic Edwin Church, born in Hartford, Connecticut, on May 4th, 1826, emerged as a pivotal figure in the blossoming landscape tradition of 19th-century America.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Barbizon School
4. Charles-François Daubigny 1817–1878
1817–1878 Born in Paris, France Barbizon School 4 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Charles-François Daubigny was born in Paris in 1817. In 1860, he moved to Auvers-sur-Oise, a change that allowed him to settle deeper into this way of seeing. In 1857, Daubigny made a practical choice to change how he approached the landscape. In 1852, a meeting with Camille Corot began a friendship that would shape much of his middle years. The influence of his work traveled far beyond his immediate circle.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Neoclassicism
5. Gilbert Stuart 1755–1828
1755–1828 Born in North Kingstown, United States Neoclassicism 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
December 3, 1755, Saunderstown, Rhode Island Died: July 9, 1828, Boston, Massachusetts Nationality: American Movement: Neoclassicism Known for: Portraiture, particularly portraits of prominent figures in early American history. Gilbert Stuart was born into a family with Scottish roots; his father, also named Gilbert, was an inventor who established the first snuff mill in Rhode Island. At 14, he painted "Dr. Hunter's Spaniels," showcasing early promise.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Barbizon School
6. Felix Ziem 1821–1911
1821–1911 Born in Beaune, France Barbizon School 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Ziem’s versatility allowed him to move seamlessly between different environments, from the serene, pine-filled landscapes of Martigues in works like Midi, étude de pins to the tranquil river scenes of Northern Europe, such as his depiction of the Amstel River.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Impressionism
7. William Merritt Chase 1849–1916
1849–1916 Born in Nineveh, United States Impressionism 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Born on November 1, 1849, in Williamsburg, he was the son of Sarah Swain and David H. The real shift in his technical DNA occurred in 1872 when he moved to the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. In 1877, he traveled to Venice, Italy, alongside Frank Duveneck and John Twachtman. By the time he returned to the United States in the summer of 1878, his approach to light and atmosphere had fundamentally changed.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Romanticism
8. Thomas Sully 1783–1872
1783–1872 Born in Horncastle, United Kingdom Romanticism 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
The son of actors, Matthew and Sarah Chester Sully, young Thomas experienced an itinerant childhood when his family emigrated to Charleston, South Carolina in 1792, seeking new opportunities on the American stage.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Barbizon School
9. Narcisse Virgilio Díaz 1807–1876
1807–1876 Born in Bordeaux, France Barbizon School 6 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Narcisse Virgile Díaz de la Peña (1807-1876) was a French painter of the Barbizon school, celebrated for his evocative landscapes and significant influence on the development of Impressionism. Born in Bordeaux, France, to Spanish parents, Díaz de la Peña experienced early loss with the deaths of his parents. Díaz became a key member of the Barbizon school, a group of artists who rejected academic conventions in favor of painting directly from nature.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
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10. Anton Mauve 1838–1888
1838–1888 Born in Zaandam, Netherlands 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
By 1872, Mauve had settled in The Hague, becoming a central figure within the burgeoning Hague School of painters. A decisive break occurred when Mauve informed Van Gogh that their association was “over and done with,” reportedly due to concerns about Van Gogh’s increasingly intense personality and his relationship with Clasina Maria Hoornik. Despite this painful separation, Van Gogh continued to hold Mauve in high regard, a sentiment powerfully expressed through art.
Originals at the Reading Public Museum
The masters, continued
No. 11 to No. 25: more masters of the Reading Public Museum
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11. Mariano Fortuny Marsal
Romanticism
1838–1874 · born in Reus, Spain · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Spanish Romantic painter of Orientalist themes and military battles, known for iridescent brushstrokes and vivid, colorful scenes.
- The Note (1866)
- The Mandolin Player (1871)
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12. René Jules Lalique
Art Nouveau
1860–1945 · born in Aÿ, France · 8 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Druides Vase (1924)
- Fougeres Vase (1912)
- Le Lys for D (1922)
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13. William Trost Richards
Hudson River School
1833–1905 · born in Philadelphia, United States · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
American landscape artist of the Hudson River School, known for photographic realism in White Mountain views and detailed coastal seascapes.
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14. Elihu Vedder
Symbolism
1836–1923 · born in New York City, United States · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
American Symbolist known for visionary dreamscapes and his fifty-five intricate illustrations for the deluxe edition of The Rubaiyat.
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15. Thomas Pollock Anshutz
Contemporary Realism
1851–1912 · born in Newport, United States · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
American realist known for raw industrial scenes like Ironworkers' Noontime and sensitive portraits that capture the inner character of subjects.
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16. Jean Charles Cazin
Impressionism
1841–1901 · born in Samer, France · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
French Naturalist known for tonalist seascapes and luminous landscapes that blend religious themes with a soft, atmospheric sfumato glow.
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17. Johannes Rosierse
1808–1901 · born in Dordrecht, Netherlands · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Dutch genre painter of intimate candlelight scenes and domestic interiors, using dramatic chiaroscuro to illuminate figures in the dark.
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18. Robert Lewis Reid
Impressionism
1862–1929 · born in Stockbridge, United States · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
American Impressionist known for decorative portraits of women among lush flowers and monumental murals in the Library of Congress.
- Summer Breezes (1915)
- Apple Blossoms (1900)
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19. Nicaise de Keyser
Romanticism
1813–1887 · born in Antwerp, Belgium · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Belgian Romantic-historical painter of dramatic battles and heroic figures, known for his vivid scenes of Flemish national identity.
- Charles V in Retirement (1835)
- The Blessing (1841)
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20. Emil Carlsen
Impressionism
1848–1932 · born in Copenhagen, Denmark · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
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21. William Stanley Haseltine
Hudson River School
1835–1900 · born in Philadelphia, United States · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
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22. Emilio Sanchez-Perrier
1855–1907 · born in Seville, Spain · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Alcalá (1884)
- Spanish Landscape (1881)
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23. Paul Weber
Hudson River School
1823–1916 · born in Darmstadt, Germany · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
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24. Henry Ward Ranger
Tonalist
1858–1916 · born in Syracuse, United States · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Marine - Green and Gold (1905)
- On Long Island Sound (1912)
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25. Charles Webster Hawthorne
Impressionism
1872–1930 · born in Clark Center, United States · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Charles Webster Hawthorne was an American painter renowned for his evocative portraits and landscapes, particularly his depictions of New England coastal life. A key figure in the Cape Cod School of Art, he championed plein air painting and influenced generations with his tonal style and dedication to capturing light and atmosphere.
- Constance La Boiteaux (1919)
Famous artists in the Reading Public Museum, No. 26 to 50
E. Irving Couse1866–1936 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Ralph Albert Blakelock1847–1919 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Christopher Shearer1846–1926 · 18 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Franz Dvorak1862–1927 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Edmund Darch Lewis1835–1910 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Jacob Eichholtz1776–1842 · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Ella Sophonisba Hergesheimer1873–1943 · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Mary Hiester Reid1854–1921 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Xanthus Russell Smith1839–1929 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Gustavus Behne1828–1895 · 13 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Ben Austrian1870–1921 · 24 originals at the Reading Public Museum
George Emerick Essig1838–1923 · 10 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Franklin Dullin Briscoe1844–1903 · 8 originals at the Reading Public Museum
DeWitt Clinton Boutelle1820–1884 · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Chauncey Foster Ryder1868–1949 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Leonard Saurfelt1823–1899 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Ben Foster1852–1926 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
John Heyl Raser1824–1901 · 15 originals at the Reading Public Museum
James Hamilton1819–1878 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Francis Devlan1835–1870 · 15 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Frederick A. Spang1834–1891 · 12 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Anton Windmaier1840–1896 · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Charles James Turrell1845–1932 · 5 originals at the Reading Public Museum
James Hamilton1853–1894 · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Edmund Leaf Shearer1851–1935 · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
The house in figures
The masters of the Reading Public Museum, in figures
The masters with the most originals at the Reading Public Museum
Masters with two originals or more, by century of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by country of birth
Masters with two originals or more, by movement
Women masters
The women whose originals hang in the Reading Public Museum
8 women masters, 11 originals, in our catalogue of the Reading Public Museum.
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Ella Sophonisba Hergesheimer
1873–1943 · born in Allentown, United States · 3 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Dutch Girl (1904)
- Italian Girl (1904)
- Chinese Vase
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Mary Hiester Reid
1854–1921 · born in Reading, United States · 2 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Landscape with Sheep (1906)
- Hollyhocks (1914)
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Cecilia Beaux
1855–1942 · born in Philadelphia, United States · 1 originals at the Reading Public Museum
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Alice Kent Stoddard
1883–1976 · born in Watertown, United States · 1 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Leila (1915)
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Mary Russell Smith
1842–1878 · born in Pennsylvania, United States · 1 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Three Rabbits (1876)
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Helen Gerardia
1903–1988 · born in Yekaterinoslav Governorate, Russian Empire · 1 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Lunar Circuit II (1960)
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Mary Berri Chapman Hansbrough
1872–1951 · born in Washington, D.C., United States · 1 originals at the Reading Public Museum
- Landscape (1893)
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Fern Coppedge
1883–1951 · born in Decatur, United States · 1 originals at the Reading Public Museum
Asked of us
Questions on the masters of the Reading Public Museum
Open a question to read the answer.
Who is the best-known artist of the Reading Public Museum?
Edgar Degas (1834–1917): our catalogue holds 2 works by Edgar Degas at the Reading Public Museum, among them The Bather (La Baigneuse) and The Laundress Ironing (La Blanchisseuse Repassant). James McNeill Whistler and Frederic Edwin Church follow.
How many Edgar Degas paintings are in the Reading Public Museum?
2 works by Edgar Degas at the Reading Public Museum are in our catalogue: The Bather (La Baigneuse) (1895) and The Laundress Ironing (La Blanchisseuse Repassant) (1886) among them.
How many James McNeill Whistler paintings are in the Reading Public Museum?
7 works by James McNeill Whistler at the Reading Public Museum are in our catalogue: La Vieille aux Loques (1858), Rag Pickers, Quartier Mouffetard, Paris (1858), Annie Seated (1859) and The Riva No. 1 (1880) among them.
Which Frederic Edwin Church works are in the Reading Public Museum?
2 works by Frederic Edwin Church at the Reading Public Museum are in our catalogue: Cotopaxi, Ecuador (1862) and Syria: Ruins by the Sea (1873) among them.
Which ten artists should I look for in the Reading Public Museum?
By fame: Edgar Degas (2), James McNeill Whistler (7), Frederic Edwin Church (2), Charles-François Daubigny (4), Gilbert Stuart (2), Felix Ziem (2), William Merritt Chase (3), Thomas Sully (2), Narcisse Virgilio Díaz (6) and Anton Mauve (2).
Which artist has the most works in the Reading Public Museum?
Our catalogue holds 24 works by Ben Austrian at the Reading Public Museum; next come Christopher Shearer (18), John Heyl Raser (15) and Francis Devlan (15).
Are there Leonardo da Vinci works in the Reading Public Museum?
No: the Reading Public Museum holds no work by Leonardo da Vinci in our catalogue.
Does the Reading Public Museum have any Pablo Picasso paintings?
No: the Reading Public Museum holds no work by Pablo Picasso in our catalogue.
Are there any women painters in the Reading Public Museum?
Our catalogue lists 8 women artists with works at the Reading Public Museum: Ella Sophonisba Hergesheimer (3), Mary Hiester Reid (2), Cecilia Beaux (1), Alice Kent Stoddard (1), Mary Russell Smith (1) and Helen Gerardia (1).
Are the artists in the Reading Public Museum mostly French, Italian or Dutch?
Counting the artists with two works or more, the Reading Public Museum holds painters born mostly in United States (32), France (7), United Kingdom (3), Germany (3) and Netherlands (2).
Who is the earliest artist in the Reading Public Museum?
Most of the artists with two works or more at the Reading Public Museum were born in the 19th century (48 artists); the earliest in this ranking is Gilbert Stuart (1755–1828), the latest Charles Webster Hawthorne (1872–1930).
How many painters are represented in the Reading Public Museum?
Our catalogue lists 239 artists with at least one work at the Reading Public Museum, 53 of them with two or more, born between 1755 and 1905 in 8 countries.
The house
The Reading Public Museum, Reading, in a few lines
A Tapestry of Worlds: Exploring the Reading Public Museum
Founded on the legacy of Dr. Levi W. The museum’s story begins in 1904 with the acquisition of exhibits from the Saint Louis World's Fair, an event that immediately established a global perspective within its collections. Adding to this visual splendor is the adjacent 25-acre arboretum, meticulously planned by the renowned landscape architect John Nolen, offering a tranquil escape and a living connection to nature that complements the museum's diverse holdings.
A Collector’s Kaleidoscope: Highlights of the Museum’s Diverse Collections
At its core is an impressive American art collection, numbering over seven hundred oil paintings by both established masters and emerging talents. Within this collection reside works by luminaries such as Benjamin West, Raphaelle Peale, Gilbert Stuart, Thomas Sully, and the evocative landscapes of Frederic Church and Susan Macdowell Eakins. More recently, the museum has embraced modernism, showcasing pieces by Milton Avery, Alexander Calder, Helen Frankenthaler, and Louise Nevelson – artists who redefined artistic expression in the 20th century. European paintings by Edgar Degas, Charles Francois Daubigny, Albert Lebourg, and Marià Fortuny offer glimpses into continental artistic traditions. Sculptures range from the monumental works of Auguste Rodin to the delicate forms of Henry Moore and George Segal, providing a tangible connection to three-dimensional artistry. The museum’s collection of ancient artifacts is equally compelling, featuring a remarkably preserved Neferina mummy from Ptolemaic Egypt, alongside an impressive array of Greek vases – including the celebrated Herakles Vase attributed to the Alkmene Painter – and Roman marble sculptures.
The famous originals of the Reading Public MuseumThe Reading Public Museum: the full page, 420 originalsThe museums of Reading
How the masters of the originals are ranked
The masters with two originals or more of the Reading Public Museum in our catalogue are ranked by fame: the Wikipedia language editions that describe them, the visits to their OriginalUniqueArt.com page and our studio's ranking. Originals are counted in our catalogue — one entry per work, without details, studies or copies — not in the museum's inventory. Every date, birthplace and movement is the catalogue's; the notes are drawn from the master's biography.
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