John Joseph Albert Dixon (1888-1962) was born in Philadelphia, to John Joseph Dixon and Josephine Frasche Dixon.
As a child, he lived for a time in a beautiful house that his father had built in 1893, at 173 Rose Valley Road in Moylan, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, near the county seat in Media.
As an adult, he lived in several houses around Philadelphia and in Chester County, PA, as he worked to establish his artistic career. He married Mildred Sartelle, a sculptor and teacher, from Pepperell, Massachusetts. John and Mildred had three children: Elizabeth (Betty), Eunice, and John F.
As was the case for so many, the Great Depression altered their trajectory but did not stymie the couple’s artistic endeavors.
John J.A. Dixon was active for five decades, from before 1914 until the late 1950s. He studied under William Merritt Chase and was a member of the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts, Allied Artists of America, and the Philadelphia Sketch Club.
He was a prolific easel painter, known best for still life and portraits in oil on canvas. His family’s collection contains much more of his work, including sketches, etchings, watercolors, and even some colorful pieces sketched in crayon. As extensive as his descendants’ collection might be, it’s but a small portion of his life’s work.
Owners of the artists work that isn’t included in this collection are welcome to upload photos, including any information about the work (back plates, signatures, etc.)