Saturday, Mar 5, 1887 Calvert and I went to see Whittredges studies and sketches at Ortgies' gallery. They looked remarkably well, as I was sure they would. There are 75 in all[,] all done with his characteristic care and feeling. I think it a most creditable showing and one that does honor to American Art. I took occasion to speak in warm praise of his work to several people I met in the gallery. Painted on my picture but I think I began wrong--it does not "result". In the afternoon I got out my crewel work curtain, spread it on the floor and sewed on the border and hung it up. It looks very distinguished. Shortly after a young chap from Brooklyn came to see if I had any of the small pictures he saw advertised in the Century. I made the mistake of showing him all of them. The result was he could not decide and went away saying he would bring his mother on Tuesday. He seemed an awkward well intentioned young fellow but was afraid he would not get the best thing. Went to the monthly meeting of the club and invited Downing who came later. Had a very agreeable evening and staid until after midnight. Eastman had a full length, seated portrait of his wife remarkably rich in color. He seemed greatly delighted at what I said of it. There was also a fine portrait of Mrs. Gilder by Wyatt Eaton. I took occasion to tell Gilder how much I liked it and he seemed much pleased, and asked to bring Eaton to introduce him to me which he did. I told him how much I admired his portrait and the womanly character he had invested it with. He was evidently pleased and it was a real gratification to me to be able to praise, rather than criticise. My two pictures brought me many pleasant compliments from the artists. They were the two winter pictures, "Sunset after a storm" and the Eastern Sky at sunset.
< Previous Entry | Next Entry >Have you ever wanted to see a handful of folders in a collection at the Archives of American Art, but you couldn't find the time to come to our DC reading room? Then the Archives of American Art’s Digitization on Demand service is for YOU!
Original material can be consulted by appointment in our Washington, D.C. Headquarters.
Copies of unrestricted microfilm materials can be obtained through one of our affiliated research centers.
Research and reference services provides help finding, accessing, and using the collections at the Archives of American Art.
