Alfred Q. Collins

Alfred Q. Collins was cut off in the maturity of original and unusual powers as an artist, after a career as full of promise as achievement. Born in New England in 1855, he began the study of art in the Julian School in Paris in 1877, and was later a pupil of Bonnat. He returned to America in 1884, and devoted himself to portraiture, in which he won notable success. He was given to deep research and to patient as well as bold experiment. He refused to “cultivate the courage of imperfection,” and toiled unceasingly to realize his ideals, in conception and in process, his mind open to intelligent suggestions, but closed and locked to the influence of unauthoritative criticism or the temptations of popularity. Few men of his profession had a more intimate and illuminating knowledge of the masters of the past, and his talk of art, though rare, was peculiarly enjoyable. But he maintained the integrity of his individual judgment and inspiration as firmly toward the past as toward the present. Personally his sincerity and modesty and the quiet courage with which he faced difficulty and trial won the respect and affection of his associates.

Edward Cary
1904 Century Association Yearbook