Torey Ross

Torey Ross was born in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1875. He emigrated to the United States in 1889 and became a citizen in 1896. Ross studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Palette and Chisel Club. He was the owner of the Ross Time Recorder Company, which produced time clocks, watches and timing devices. Ross held numerous patents for his time clocks and timing devices. Since he did not have ample time to paint, Ross was active in a group called the Chicago Business Men’s Art Club that included businessmen, doctors and lawyers. They took instruction with Karl Buehr at the Art Institute and painted together on a weekly basis. The group exhibited at Marshall Field & Company. Ross also exhibited numerous times at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Swedish American Club in Chicago, the Salons of America and the Society of Independent artists. He was a member of the prestigious Chicago Society of Artists. Ross is best known for his muted, dream-like palate and his use of aluminum panel as a medium. He liked aluminum because it didn’t stretch. Ross died in Chicago in 1966.