Charles William MacCord (1852–1923)

Born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Charles William MacCord was a multifaceted figure (a businessman, poet, painter, and engraver) best known today for his Impressionist landscapes. Alongside his sister, fellow artist Mary Nicholena MacCord, he was active in the Connecticut and Massachusetts art scenes. Although he began his career in the family dry goods business, MacCord’s creative inclinations led him toward writing and the arts, including work as a telegraph editor for The Bridgeport Post. In 1887, he published a volume of poetry, Reminscent, Impressions and Pallette Scraping, reflecting the same sensitivity to mood and atmosphere that characterized his paintings.

As a painter, MacCord specialized in landscapes and select genre scenes.  Unlike many of his contemporaries, he trained entirely in the United States rather than abroad. Charles and Mary MacCord lived and traveled closely together, painting throughout New England and in Europe, including England, Ireland, France, and Italy. A member of prominent organizations such as the National Academy of Design, the Salmagundi Club, and the Society of Independent Artists, MacCord remained active until his death in 1923. In his memory, his sister later established a charitable fund at the Salmagundi Club to support sick and disabled artists, extending the MacCord legacy beyond the canvas.