Sydney Richmond Burleigh

Sydney Richmond Burleigh

Son of Geoge S. and Ruth B. Burleigh was born in Little Compton July 7, 1853. His boyhood days were happy, roaming the fields and shores, with the neighboring boys ad girls, and with his beloved boat. Mr Philip Wilbour, telling me of some of their exploits, said “Of course Rick was captain.” He was always called Rick in those days – His school days were passed at District no 2, on the next road near the bend of Taylor’s Lane, but his real education was with his learned parents and contact with their cultured friends.

When 16 he went to New York into the office of a friend of the family, but after three years decided to go to Prov – did not like New York. In Providence he was draughtsman at the Brown and Sharpe mfg. shop, and made very delicate and accurate drawings for their tools. In 1875 he married Sarah D. Wilkinson, and the following winter decided to be definitely an artist. In 1878 they went to Europe and in Paris he studied under Jean Paul Laurens, and absorbed the delightful artist life of that day. The following winter was spent in Italy.

After months of travel coming back to Prov- he found a young art club just forming, joining it he was one of its most devoted members for 50 years, and its beloved President for six years. He made five other trips to Europe, and each time bringing back new ideas and richer work. In 1886 he built a studio The Fleur de Lis, in Thomas St. Prov- a very unusual and artistic building, doing the decoration himself, curving the oak beams and modelling in the plaster. This studio is now the property of the Prov. Art Club.

He was a member of New York & Boston art clubs, and exhibited his pictures very widely, and had medals from several societies. He was known as master in nature color-painting, though his portraits in oil were many, also landscapes in oil. His beloved sea and the old New England farms were favorite subjects, especially Little Compton. He could use his hands in many ways, as a wood carver and he made pottery, and jewellery and a good carpenter he built the studio on an old sail boat which he anchored at the foot of his lawn, and thatched it. In 1881 he laid out a Tennis Court on his lawn, and it was the centre of general outdoor amusement for all around in Compton, every body welcome, during fifteen years, before the Golf Club was formed.

He was given an honorary degree master of Arts, at Brown University in 1912. Dr Faunce in his citation said; “Sydney Burleigh gifted with insight into nature and humanity, whose pictures adorn our homes and open our eyes, dean of Rode Island artists, of private virtue and public spirit” –

He was a welcome guest everywhere, for his genial nature and intelligence, full of kindness and wit, He was tall and handsome with an air of distinction, and always ready to help. He had a genius for making friends and keeping them. He was alive all over, with the very last never acknowledging weakness

He died Feb. 25, 1931.

By S. D. B. Feb 25, 1941