American, 1875-1976

Martha Walter began her training at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under the tutelage of esteemed painter and teacher William Merritt Chase. She also studied with him at his Shinnecock School of Art in 1899 and 1900 where she formed a close relationship with fellow artist Alice Schille. Chase served as a source of encouragement for Walter by urging her to continue to paint and apply for awards, many of which she won including the 1902 Toppan prize. The following year, she was one of four artists awarded the Cresson traveling scholarship which funded two years of study in Europe.  She settled first in Paris and attended classes at the Académie Chaumiere and later the Académie Julian. Though these were some of the best schools in France, she felt restricted by their classical approach, and therefore set up her own studio in the Rue de Bagneaux, where soon many other young American women would join her. Walter focused on painting en plein-air scenes from everyday life which she depicted with a new bold palette of saturated colors. Her affinity for working out-of-doors in sun-drenched surroundings eventually brought her to the shores of St. Malo, Trouville, and Biarritz, resulting in the colorful, impressionist beach scenes that became a familiar theme throughout her career.  Walter remained in Europe for over a decade traveling extensively through France, England, Holland, Italy, Germany, and Spain.