Allyn Cox
Encyclopedia
Allyn Cox was an American artist known for his murals, including those he painted in the United States Capitol
and the U. S. Department of State.
Cox was a son of Kenyon Cox
and his wife, the former Louise Howland King, both of whom were artists. His siblings were Leonard and Caroline.
He studied at the National Academy of Design
, Art Students League of New York
, and the American Academy in Rome
.
Cox apprenticed with his father, whom he worked with when working on murals for the Wisconsin State Capitol
. Like his father, he served as the president of the National Society of Mural Painters
.
In 1953, he was hired to complete the frieze in the Capitol Rotunda, which had been originally started by Constantino Brumidi
and left unfinished since the 1880s. He painted murals on many of the other walls in the building, including a depiction of the first landing on the moon in the Senate’s Brumidi Corridors of the Capitol.
Some of his work may be seen at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial
in Alexandria, Virginia
. He also painted murals in houses owned by Anne (Mrs. William K.) Vanderbilt and Lincoln Ellsworth.
He married, on 30 April 1927, Ethel Julia Howard Potter, a daughter of Howard Nott Potter and a great-niece of Henry Codman Potter
, Episcopal Bishop of New York. His wife's uncle by marriage was society architect William Adams Delano
.
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
and the U. S. Department of State.
Cox was a son of Kenyon Cox
Kenyon Cox
Kenyon Cox was an American painter, illustrator, muralist, writer, and teacher. Cox was an influential and important early instructor at the Art Students League of New York...
and his wife, the former Louise Howland King, both of whom were artists. His siblings were Leonard and Caroline.
He studied at the National Academy of Design
National Academy of Design
The National Academy Museum and School of Fine Arts, founded in New York City as the National Academy of Design – known simply as the "National Academy" – is an honorary association of American artists founded in 1825 by Samuel F. B. Morse, Asher B. Durand, Thomas Cole, Martin E...
, Art Students League of New York
Art Students League of New York
The Art Students League of New York is an art school located on West 57th Street in New York City. The League has historically been known for its broad appeal to both amateurs and professional artists, and has maintained for over 130 years a tradition of offering reasonably priced classes on a...
, and the American Academy in Rome
American Academy in Rome
The American Academy in Rome is a research and arts institution located on the Gianicolo in Rome.- History :In 1893, a group of American architects, painters and sculptors met regularly while planning the fine arts section of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition...
.
Cox apprenticed with his father, whom he worked with when working on murals for the Wisconsin State Capitol
Wisconsin State Capitol
The Wisconsin State Capitol, in Madison, Wisconsin, houses both chambers of the Wisconsin legislature along with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Office of the Governor. Completed during 1917, the building is the fifth to serve as the Wisconsin capitol since the first territorial legislature...
. Like his father, he served as the president of the National Society of Mural Painters
National Society of Mural Painters
The National Society of Mural Painters is an American artists' organization founded in 1895, originally known as The Mural Painters. The charter of the society is to advance the techniques and standards for the design and execution of mural art for the enrichment of architecture in the United...
.
In 1953, he was hired to complete the frieze in the Capitol Rotunda, which had been originally started by Constantino Brumidi
Constantino Brumidi
Constantino Brumidi was an Greek/Italian-American historical painter, best known and honored for his fresco work in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.-Parentage and early life:...
and left unfinished since the 1880s. He painted murals on many of the other walls in the building, including a depiction of the first landing on the moon in the Senate’s Brumidi Corridors of the Capitol.
Some of his work may be seen at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial
George Washington Masonic National Memorial
George Washington Masonic National Memorial is a Masonic building and memorial located in Alexandria, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C.. It is dedicated to the memory of George Washington, the first President of the United States and a Mason. The tower is fashioned after the ancient Lighthouse of...
in Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria, Virginia
Alexandria is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2009, the city had a total population of 139,966. Located along the Western bank of the Potomac River, Alexandria is approximately six miles south of downtown Washington, D.C.Like the rest of northern Virginia, as well as...
. He also painted murals in houses owned by Anne (Mrs. William K.) Vanderbilt and Lincoln Ellsworth.
He married, on 30 April 1927, Ethel Julia Howard Potter, a daughter of Howard Nott Potter and a great-niece of Henry Codman Potter
Henry Codman Potter
Henry Codman Potter was a bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. He was the seventh Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York.-Life:...
, Episcopal Bishop of New York. His wife's uncle by marriage was society architect William Adams Delano
William Adams Delano
William Adams Delano , an American architect, was a partner with Chester Holmes Aldrich in the firm of Delano & Aldrich. The firm worked in the Beaux-Arts tradition for elite clients in New York City, Long Island and elsewhere, building townhouses, country houses, clubs, banks and buildings for...
.