Laura Woodward: The Artist Behind the Innovator Who Developed Palm Beach
Laura Woodward (1834–1926) was a prominent American landscape painter born in Orange County, New York, who became associated with the Hudson River and White Mountain Schools. She faced gender-based challenges in the art world but still earned high praise from critics and peers for her realistic depictions of nature. In the 1880s, she traveled extensively through Florida, capturing its tropical beauty and helping to shape the state’s image as a colorful paradise before the era of color photography. Woodward was a pioneer in painting the Everglades and Palm Beach, and her work inspired Henry Flagler’s development of the region, though she remained modest and silent about her influence. Her contributions are now being rediscovered, shedding light on her significance in American art, women’s history, and the cultural development of Florida.
Author: Laura Woodward
