Frank Milton Armington, born in Fordwich, Ontario, in 1876, was a distinguished Canadian painter and etcher known for his exquisite depictions of Parisian life and landscapes. Armington's life was a tale of artistic pursuit and personal resilience, marked by his early battle with spinal meningitis and his enduring partnership with his wife, Caroline Wilkinson. His career spanned several decades and continents, with significant periods spent in Canada and France. Armington's work, characterized by its Impressionist influences and technical mastery, left an indelible mark on both the Canadian and European art scenes.
Armington was the son of M.J. and Alice Evelyn (Strathy) Armington. At two, he contracted spinal meningitis, a condition that weakened his heart and influenced his later years. Despite these early health challenges, Armington showed a passion for art from a young age. He began his formal art education in 1892 under J.W.L. Forster, a noted portrait painter in Toronto. For seven years, Armington honed his skills under Forster's guidance, where he met his future wife, Caroline Wilkinson.
In 1899, Armington embarked on a significant journey to Paris, accompanied by his mother and sister Vivian, with Caroline joining them as far as New York. This trip marked the beginning of Armington's deep connection with France and its artistic heritage. In Paris, he enrolled at the Académie Julian, studying under renowned artists Benjamin Constant and John-Paul Laurens. This period was crucial in shaping his artistic style, which would later blend the technical precision of academic training with the emotive qualities of Impressionism.
Armington married Caroline Wilkinson on September 6, 1900, at the American Baptist Church in Paris. Shortly after their marriage, the couple returned to Canada, settling in Sault Ste. Marie, where they built a house and later sold it at a profit. This financial gain allowed them to move to Winnipeg, where Frank worked for the Winnipeg Tribune, and Caroline gave private art lessons. In 1903, Frank began teaching at Havergal College, a girls' school, and played a pivotal role in founding the Manitoba Society of Artists, serving as its first Vice-President.
During this time, Armington received several important portrait commissions, including portraits of R.P. Roblin, the Premier of Manitoba, and Horace Crawford, a prominent lawyer. His work during this period reflected the influence of French Impressionism, with a focus on capturing the subtleties of light and color. He exhibited his portraits and landscapes at the Winnipeg Industrial Exhibitions from 1902 to 1905, establishing his reputation in the Canadian art scene.
In 1905, the Armingtons returned to Paris, seeking greater artistic opportunities. They attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, where Frank studied under Gustave Courtois and Raphael Collier. He also resumed his studies at the Académie Julian under Henri Royer, Benjamin Constant, and John-Paul Laurens. It was during this period that Armington's work began to gain recognition at the prestigious Salon d'Automne and other annual Salon exhibitions.
In 1906, Armington began experimenting with etching, guided by his friend Maurice Achener. He excelled in this medium, producing intricate scenes of Paris, Rouen, Vernon, Estaples, Ville d'Avray, and Charenton—locations frequented by many French Impressionists. His etchings were well-received, earning him an Honourable Mention at the Salon des Artistes Français in 1908 and a silver medal for painting at the Exposition Industrielle Internationale in Toulouse.
Armington's etchings captured the essence of Parisian life and landscapes, often depicting everyday scenes with a keen eye for detail and atmosphere. The National Gallery of Canada purchased several of his early etchings, and he made significant donations to various museums, including 38 etchings to the Musée du Luxembourg. These contributions helped establish his reputation as a skilled etcher and painter.
World War I and Later Career
The outbreak of World War I disrupted the Armingtons' artistic lives. Frank served as an orderly with the American Ambulance unit in Paris, while Caroline worked as a nurse. During his off time, Frank continued to etch scenes from the life of the unit, capturing the realities of war with sensitivity and precision. In 1915, he donated 28 etchings to the New York Public Library.
After the war, Armington's focus shifted back to painting. In 1917, he held a major exhibition at the Galeries Georges Petit, showcasing his oils and watercolors. His painting "Boulevard des Capucines," depicting the Parisian boulevard in different seasons, received particular praise from La Revue Moderne. Armington continued to experiment with lithography in the 1920s, a medium well-suited to his interest in capturing the effects of evening scenes, fog, and wet weather.
Throughout his career, Armington held numerous solo and joint exhibitions, both in North America and Europe. He continued to travel extensively, producing sketches, etchings, and paintings inspired by his journeys. His works were collected by major institutions, including the Library of Congress, which purchased 14 of his etchings, including a series of nudes.
In the late 1930s, as war loomed over Europe once again, the Armingtons decided to return to North America. They settled in the Grosvenor Hotel on Fifth Avenue in New York. Tragically, three days after their arrival, Caroline passed away, leaving Frank devastated. He soon remarried Jessie F. Clark Armington, a friend of the couple. Frank continued to live in the same apartment until his death in 1941, barely two years after Caroline's passing.
The Armingtons' legacy is preserved through their extensive body of work, which includes around 700 prints in editions of fifty, seventy-five, and one hundred. Their story, characterized by a deep love for each other and their shared passion for art, has been chronicled in several publications, including A. McKenzie Brockman's "Caroline And Frank Armington" and Nancy Parke-Taylor's "Caroline and Frank Armington, Canadian Painter-Etchers in Paris." These works, along with numerous exhibitions, have helped ensure that the Armingtons' contributions to the art world are not forgotten.
Frank Milton Armington's art, steeped in the traditions of Impressionism and characterized by technical skill and emotional depth, continues to be celebrated for its portrayal of the beauty and vibrancy of life. His etchings and paintings remain a testament to his artistic vision and his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with grace and sensitivity
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