Collection: Alice Pike Barney

Alice Pike Barney (1857–1931) was an American painter, patron, and arts advocate celebrated for her colorful portraits, landscapes, and theatrical scenes. Working primarily in pastel and oil, she developed a vibrant, expressive style that reflected the artistic experimentation of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Barney’s subjects ranged from society figures to allegorical themes, often infused with dramatic flair and rich color. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, into a wealthy family, she studied in Paris under portraitist Carolus-Duran and became an active figure in the American art world. In 1884, she married Albert Clifford Barney, with whom she had two daughters, including writer Natalie Clifford Barney. A passionate supporter of the arts, she hosted salons, exhibited widely, and promoted cultural projects in Washington, D.C. until her death in 1931.