Artist

John Amory Codman

Rocky Coast with Light House
Shore of Marblehead Neck and Tinker's Island
Rocky Shore with Coast Guard Station
Harbor Overlooked by a Mansion

American, 1824–1886

John Amory Codman was an American artist. 6 works are cataloged here, principally at Museum of Fine Arts Boston.

John Amory Codman (1824-1886) was an artist in Boston, Massachusetts, in the 19th century. He was affiliated with the New England Art Union, and kept a studio in Amory Hall in the 1850s. His wealth came from the Russian and China clipper trade.

He married Martha Pickman Rogers (1829-1905) and their only surviving child was Martha Codman Karolik. She was a major benefactor to the arts. Codman's will was the subject of several sensational court cases.

He had left a substantial amount to his mistress, the widow Mrs. Eliza Ann Hales Kimball a.k.a. Violet Kimball, but the bequest was challenged by his wife and daughter. The decision on the first case allowed the bequest to stand but it was appealed and the will was overthrown.

After further legal maneuvering, a settlement was reached. Mrs. Kimball received $15,000, rather than the $40,000 and additional considerations specified in the will.

Works by John Amory Codman

Collections represented

Catalog records compiled from museum open-access collections; the artworks shown are in the public domain. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.