When Paul Manship established his summer residence and studio between two quarries in Gloucester, Massachusetts, he began a relationship between the Manship family and Cape Ann that was interwoven with the artist community and still remains strong to this day. Starfield became a hub of artistic delight, entertainment, and joy, which helped grow his family, and their deep-seeded connections with the people and history of the area.
The Manship estate is the last unchanged and remaining Cape Ann artist’s home from the era when many prominent artists the 20th century visited or lived in Lanesville. Please contact us if you have any questions, comments, or stories to share regarding the Manship family.
Paul Manship
Considered a leader of the American Art Deco movement, Paul Manship’s artistic influence is still an integral part of our culture, his most recognizable work being Prometheus at Rockefeller Center in New York.
Isabel McElwaine Manship
Married to Paul Manship, Isabel McIlwaine Manship was both brilliant and charming, and was recognized for her skills in hosting elegant parties for patrons, artists, and friends alike.
John Manship
The only son of Paul and Isabel Manship, John was a prolific painter, often painting two or three paintings a day. John and his wife Margaret were the last members of the Manship family to reside at Starfield.
Margaret Cassidy Manship
Married to John Manship, Margaret worked tirelessly to keep the Manship family artistic legacy alive. Primarily a sculptor, Margaret also developed new techniques for working with stained glass.
Elizabeth Manship Solomon
Daughter of Paul and Isabel, Elizabeth (nicknamed “Chou Chou”) studied at the Art Students League in New York and much later at Sacramento State College. As the longest surviving member of the family, she literally passed the torch to the next generation of “Manship Artists” and the first cohort of visiting artists at Starfield.
Pauline Manship Natti
The beloved eldest child of Paul and Isabel, Pauline was a gifted seamstress, and worked at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum in NYC. She was known for her artistry, and designed and tailored clothing for many women in New York society.
Isabel Natti
The daughter of Pauline Manship and Ilmari “Jimo” Natti, Isabel was both an artist and an activist whose block prints are an important part of the Cape Ann artistic legacy, and Manship’s history.
Walker Hancock
Colleague, friend, and in-law to Paul Manship, Walker Hancock was considered the dean of American figurative sculpture. A gentleman scholar, gracious host, and a Monuments Man, those who knew him, recognized him as a true mentor and beloved friend.
Eino Natti
The son of Finnish immigrants, Eino Natti was a graduate of the Boston Museum School. Brother-in-law to both Pauline Manship Natti and Lee Kingman Natti, Eino was one of the only men to be a Folly Cove Designer, working closely with noted designer Virgina Lee Burton.
Lee Kingman Natti
Lee Kingman, who was an artist, editor, and author, was a fixture of the Cape Ann artistic scene. Sister-in-law to Pauline Manship Natti, Lee was one of the most prolific members of the Folly Cove Designers.
Access our robust historic archive.
The Manship Artists Residency is honored to be the caretaker of this important collection and is eager to share it with artists, scholars, and the interested public.
