William Kingston Vickery

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William Kingston Vickery (1851 - 1925²) was an Irish-American picture dealer. His art exhibitions are credited with bringing French Impressionism to the attention of Californians.

Born in Ireland of Irish parents, Vickery emigrated to California with his wife Sarah Keppel Vickery (1852 - 1917²) and settled in San Rafael where he became a picture dealer. They had a son, Frederick Paul (1880 - 1965²).

Vickery founded the San Francisco art gallery Vickery, Atkins & Torrey in 1888 with his nephew Henry Atkins. In 1891 and 1893 he curated two Impressionist art exhibitions at the gallery. He was aided in the selection of the works by Californian Impressionist Lucy Bacon (who visited Paris and studied Impressionism there in 1892), Arthur Atkins (Henry's brother who also went to study in Paris in 1892), and Mrs. William H. Crocker.

Vickery was uncle to Robert Kingston Vickery (1890 - 1971²), who married Lucy Bacon's niece Ruth (1893 - 1983²).

[edit] References

  • 'San Rafael, Marin, California', 1880 United States Census, p. 110A
  • ²Madronia Cemetery, Saratoga, Santa Clara, California