CAROLINE CLOWES

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CAROLINE CLOWES
1838-1904. LIVED HERE IN HOME
CALLED HEARTSEASE. ARTIST AND
PAINTER OF ANIMAL SCENES. WORK
FEATURED IN MAJOR EXHIBITIONS
AND INTERNATIONALLY.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2025

Caroline Clowes was a painter who was known for her pastoral scenes of sheep and cows. Caroline Clowes was born on March 3^rd, 1838. She lived most of her life in Dutchess County, living with her uncle Benjamin Hart in La Grange along with his seven children and wife, according to the 1860 and 1865 census. Later, after Benjamin passed away, Caroline is listed as living with her cousin William H. Hart, who inherited his father’s estate (1880 census). On the 1890 census, Caroline is listed with the occupation of “artist”.

Caroline’s home here on Overlook Rd. was called “Heartsease”, not only by the family but by others in the community. The Poughkeepsie Journal referred to the home as such in 1911 and 1918. Heartsease, a blend of the words “heart’s ease”, is another name for a Viola Tricolor, which is a wild variety of the pansy flower. The word heartsease is defined as “peace of mind” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

Clowes’ painting titled “Spring” was featured in the 1879 exhibition by the Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences in London, England. Her work “An Alarm” was also featured in 1872 in the Forty-Seventh Annual Exhibition by the National Academy of Design in New York City. Clowes gained renown as a pastoral painter, described as “in the front rank of American artists” (Daily Log Book, Sept. 18, 1872). Her work was purchased by collectors, and by popular demand reproduced as prints (Daily Log Book April 15, 1872; October 16, 1869).

Caroline Clowes passed away on November 16, 1904, and her obituary described her as “the well-known artist, whose beautiful paintings, particularly of animals, won wide recognition” (Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, Nov. 19, 1904).

View more of Caroline Clowes work in the Dutchess County Historical Society virtual gallery here:

CAROLINE CLOWES

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