Daisy Field, [west KU campus]

William Alexander Griffith, painter

1866–1940

Daisy Field, [west KU campus], circa 1908–1910

Where object was made: United States

Material/technique: oil; hardboard

Credit line: Gift of the family of Sarah Jane Griffith Stevens (1906–92)

Accession number: 1994.0033

Not on display

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Images

Label texts

Collection Cards: Land

This landscape shows part of the University of Kansas campus in the early 1900s. The artist, William Griffith, grew up in Lawrence, taught at KU for many years, and his children played in this field of daisies. He had a strong connection to the University and the land it occupies.

How do you think the artist felt about this place?
This location is now known as Daisy Hill and has several dormitories, or places for KU students to live.
Can you think of an example of how you have seen a landscape change over time?

Exhibition Label:
"From the Prairie to Paris and Back Again: The Art of William A. Griffith", (Nov 1996) Susan Earle
Griffith often drew inspiration from parts of the KU campus for his landscape paintings. Here he depicts the area of campus currently known as "Daisy Hill." Griffith may have held special feelings for this place. A photograph (at right) shows three of his children, George, Sarah Jane, and Lucinda, playing in the daisies that grew there.

Templin, Lewis, Hashinger, Ellsworth, and McCollum residence halls were built on this site in the 1950s and 60s.