Frank Reed Whiteside

Frank Reed Whiteside (b. 1866-1929, Philadelphia) was an American painter celebrated for his vibrant portrayals of Native American life. At age 22, Whiteside began studying at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Thomas Anschutz. The artist continued his training at the Académie Julian in Paris, studying alongside artists such as Jean-Paul Laurens and Benjamin Constant. By the early 1900s, Whiteside was an established portraitist with his own studio in Philadelphia, a space that once belonged to Robert Henri and William Glackens. Whiteside also taught in public schools and at the Pennsylvania Academy, and was active in the city's art community through his membership in several key institutions, including the Philadelphia Sketch Club and the Philadelphia Watercolor Club.

Between 1890 and 1920, Whiteside made extended trips to the American Southwest, immersing himself in the culture and daily life of the Zuni, Apache, and Hopi peoples. His paintings from this period—marked by their impressionist technique, bold color, and sensitive depictions of ceremonial life and adobe architecture—earned acclaim from collectors drawn to Native American subjects. Summers spent in Ogunquit, Maine, provided the artist with further inspiration and community, including involvement in Hamilton Easter Field’s artist discussions. Whiteside passed away tragically in 1929, after he was shot by an assailant at his own front door. Years after his death, Whiteside’s work was rediscovered in the 1970s, most notably through a retrospective at the Phoenix Art Museum, which helped reintroduce his vivid legacy to contemporary audiences.

Available Works