Joseph Dawley, 1936 – 2008
The Life & Works Of Joseph Dawley. An exhibition at L'Enfant Gallery
- January 25, 2025 - March 23, 2025
- L'Enfant Gallery, Georgetown, Washington
Together with the Dawley family, we have brought together over 40 paintings and prints to honour Joseph Dawley's career. From his art student days at SMU; to his success in Dallas as a master of realism depicting the 'wild west'; to his later works as a great American impressionist, developed as a reaction against early onset Parkinson's disease. Peter Colasante of L’Enfant Gallery has represented Joe Dawley since 1976 and continues to do so today. This friendship led Joe to be deeply connected to D.C. and as a result several prominent figures on Capitol Hill became collectors of his work throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s. Join us in celebrating the life and work of Joseph William Dawley (1936 - 2008) "Exhibition catalogue and price list is available prior to the event."
Peter Colasante of L’Enfant Gallery has represented Joe Dawley since 1976 and continues to do so today. This friendship led Joe to be deeply connected to D.C. and as a result several prominent figures on Capitol Hill became collectors of his work throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, including Senator George McGovern, Secretary of State Madeline Albright, Senator Gaylord Nelson, Senator Bill and Ellen Proxmire and most importantly the advancement of Joe’s career; David Carley the eminent Lieutenant Governor under Gaylord Nelson. The art critic Frank Getlein was a great champion of Dawley’s work. Around this same time Joe was also commissioned by the National Cathedral to create work for their greeting cards.
Peter was with Joe when he had the idea for a painting of Georgetown, Washington DC. The painting was done from the vantage point of the Kennedy Centre roof. Peter picked up Joe from Union Station in June 1990, and accompanied him to the Kennedy Centre where Joe was to receive the ‘Very Special Arts’ lifetime achievement award. That evening Peter and Joe conceived the painting which would be called “June sunset over the Potomac” painted in 1991. Joe made the prints and Peter had the idea to present the first copy of the print to President Elect Bill Clinton, who was also a graduate of Georgetown University, Clinton was so enamoured of this gift, he requested Dawley lend the original work to the White House for his term, which he did. The painting then hung in Clinton’s private dining room in the White House for both terms. This work was purchased by an American businessman.
