Emily Noyes Vanderpoel

Emily Noyes Vanderpoel (June 21, 1842 – February 20, 1939) was an American artist, writer, and philanthropist. She is perhaps best remembered for her book Color Problems (1902), an early contribution to the color theory.

Early life

Emily Caroline Noyes was born on June 21, 1842, in New York City to William Curtis Noyes and Julia Tallmadge Noyes. She was the great-granddaughter of Col. Benjamin Tallmadge. She was educated in private schools in New York, and later studied art under Robert Swain Gifford and William Sartain.

On May 22, 1865, she married John Aaron Vanderpoel, with whom she had one son, John Arent Vanderpoel. They lived in New York City and Litchfield, Connecticut. After a year her husband died before she gave birth. She remained unmarried.

Career

Emily Noyes Vanderpoel was known for her work as a painter, working in watercolors and oils. She was a member of the New York Watercolor Club (of which she also served a term as Vice-President) and the Woman's Art Club of New York. She exhibited her work at the Woman's Building at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. There she was awarded a bronze medal.

Beyond her artistic career, Noyes Vanderpoel was also a philanthropist and an active participant in the Litchfield community. She was the Honorary President of the Needle and Bobbin Club of Litchfield, and the Vice-President and Curator of the Litchfield Historical Society, during which time she published a two-volume history of the Litchfield Female Academy. She was also extremely active, using her energy and her money, to provide a facelift for Litchfield, which made it the iconic Colonial town it now is. Noyes Vanderpoel played a prominent role in Litchfield's participation in the mid 19th century Colonial Revival Movement. She was behind almost every major historic preservation and conversation project, including the revamping of the business district and the restorations of the Congregational Church and the Litchfield Law School, the first law school in the country. She also helped to found local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.