- Term
Eva Scott Fenyes
- Alternate Term
Fenyes, Eva Scott
Fenyes, Eva
Fenyes, Eva Scott?
- Occupation/Role
painter; watercolorist
- Nationality/Ethnicity
American
- Remarks
Eva Scott Fenyes was born on November 9, 1849, the daughter of wealthy New York publisher Leonard Scott and his wife, Rebecca Briggs Scott. Eva was educated at Pelham Priory in Pelham Manor, New York, and then studied art in New York, Europe, and Egypt. In 1877 she also spent time in Fort Marion, Florida, where she asked Henry Pratt to have the artists Howling Wolf (Cheyenne) and Zo Tom (Kiowa) create ledger books for her. This early affiliation with Native American artists and her support for their work continued throughout her life. In 1878 Eva married Lt. William S. Muse. Their only daughter, Leonora, was born in 1879. In 1891 she divorced Muse and traveled extensively in Europe, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries. During these travels she met Dr. Adelbert Fenyes, who was a Hungarian nobleman, a doctor and an entomologist. They were married in Budapest in 1896 and settled soon thereafter in Pasadena. Although Mrs. Fenyes painted constantly, she did not exhibit her work or consider herself a “professional artist.” She painted a variety of subjects and was also interested in music, archaeology, philanthropy, and history. She was an active member in many organizations, including the Pasadena Music and Art Association, Landmarks Club of California, and the Southwest Society, later serving on the board of trustees of the Southwest Museum. Mrs. Fenyes was also instrumental in the creation of art/literary salons that brought together a wide variety of local artists, writers, and other intellectuals who met in her home in Pasadena. Through her art, Eva became a friend of Charles Lummis who was impressed by her artistic talent. He suggested that she make series of watercolors of California missions and historic adobes. A number of her watercolors were given to the Southwest Museum after her death in 1930. The remainder of paintings and sketchbooks are housed in the archives of Pasadena Museum of History.