Items

• Class Photo
  A class photo of the students from 1891, 92 and 93 that were attending an art class at the mechanics institute a precursor to RIT. Located in the center of the picture is Professor E. C Colby the first director of the art school. Seated and to the is Lillian who attended life drawing and freehand drawing classes from 1891 to 1894 before becoming a teacher at the institute in 1895. The overall feeling that comes from the picture is a sense of refinement and professionalism due to their facial expressions and dress attire. In most classes, today Teachers dress more business casual and students dress casually depending on the situation.
• Classroom photo
  This photograph shows an art classroom, spacious and open and most likely located in the Manual Training building of the former campus in downtown Rochester. At the time classes were segregated by gender with women in one class and men in another. This classroom shown is most likely a drawing from life class utilizing plaster molds of humans and other figures to aid students in drawing. Even today classes include drawings from life even with actual models standing in.
• Flowers in Vase
  This watercolor of three flowers in a vase against a blue-gray was completed while Lillian was still a student at the Mechanics Institute. Between 1890-1891 water color painting and oil paintings were just starting to be introduced into the curriculum making her undated watercolor pieces early works from these days. In subject, method and tone, this painting calls
• Circular of Information
  The Circular of Information outlined the classes that people could attend for how much and the teachers and other staff members that were involved within the Rochester Athenaeum & Mechanics Institute. In this specific catalog, Pratt’s name was changed to M. Lillian Pratt Kinzel due to her marriage to George Kinzel. As a married, working women, Lillian was paid between 20 and 30 dollars, though its terms (length of contract and service) are unclear.
• Early Pratt Painting
  : Created in 1888 by M. Lillian Pratt Kinzel, this painting of Black Eyed Susans is done in Gouache on board, an inexpensive, thin, semi-rigid support created for use by students in schools, academies, or universities. Identified by a paper label this board was made by F. W. Devoe & Co a New York based purveyor of paints, canvas, and brushes. In the painting, Lillian used rather dark tones of tans and browns for the background and dark green for the leaves of the flowers. Even with the dark tones the painting calls to mind the concern of landscape that was prevalent among American Impressionists of the day.
• M. Lillian Pratt Kinzel's Obituary
  The obituary for M. Lillian Pratt Kinzel offers a quick summary of her death and her survivors, her family included husbaned George Kinzel whom she married on August 12, 1897 and their son Donald. Lillian was acknowledged as a beloved friend and family member who would be missed as well as someone who participated in the community through the Rochester Art Club, her teachings and a member of societies, churches and unions. The obituary points out that Lillian’s success could have continued, drawing comparisons with Emma Lampert (1855-1920), a fellow Rochestarian, who achived sues in art. Lillian and Emma demonstrate the intense work ethic of women artists of the day. Even though Lampert traveled abroad and continued with her production long after Pratt’s death, together they demonstrate the exceptional ability of women artists of the day. Both are buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery.