From Paris to Marion, this particular redhead has had a long journey.

On Saturday, the Sippican Historical Society unveiled “The Redhead,” a portrait painted by the town’s most famous artist, Cecil Clark Davis.

“It’s a wonderful piece of work, and we’re thrilled to share it with the public,” said the society’s Executive Director Kimberley Teves. The society purchased the portrait at auction this summer. It joins other works by Davis, including one of famed Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the man who first reached the South Pole. Davis lived in Marion and studied with John Singer Sargent.

Davis created the portrait over 10 days in 1922. The woman depicted was a professional model known as Miss Adamson, according to Wendy Bidstrup.

Bidstrup is the curator of the Marion Art Center’s Davis collection. A former art center executive director, Bidstrup spent 25 years researching the life and work of Davis. On Saturday, she played the part of Davis and wore period clothing.

“She grew up in the late 19th century and primarily painted portraits, not landscapes, in the style of the traditional old masters,” Bidstrup said.

The artist’s work drew her acclaim and numerous awards. In 1918, she won the Portrait Prize from the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1919, she earned the Newport Art Prize and was given the Gold Medal at the Philadelphia Art Club in 1925.

“The Redhead” was accepted into the Salon in Paris, an art exhibition once considered the greatest in the Western world.

By reading Davis’s diaries, Bidstrup discovered stories behind the paintings. While working on “The Redhead,” Davis deemed the model’s fee too high and hired someone else to finish the subject’s clothes.

Davis also described a chance meeting with Amundsen, said Bidstrup. The two spoke about music, culture and Amundsen’s disdain for the modern art movement. She said the man who discovered the South Pole was charming and philosophical, but Davis wanted to paint him for another reason – his “beak-like nose.”

Bidstrup said Davis painted during a time of great change in the art world. While her style is rooted in the traditional, Bidstrup said Davis was “amazed” with the cubist and impressionists’ movements.

Born in Chicago, Davis’s family had a summer home in Marion. When not traveling the world, she made Marion her home. She donated a number of portraits to Tabor Academy over the years.

“She though it was historically important for the students,” Bidstrup said.

“The Redhead” can be viewed at the Sippican Historical Society, located at 139 Front St.