RSW's Diary Comments

“Painted in summer 1933. Most picturesque old New England house near Vermont line between Halifax and Colrain (above Elm Grove), A much traveled and lauded canvas, invited out to the Art Institute in Chicago, etc. One of my outstanding paintings I am certain. In the winter of 1940-1 Robert Frost, the poet, moved to Cambridge and wrote he wished to exchange the canvas he had purchased in 1932 Winter Dignity (which see) because of reasons of sentiment etc. due to the death of his wife and son, so this Passing New England along with many others, I sent down to the Vose Galleries for Mr. Frost to see. Among them he chose this Passing New England. So it is now owned by our most noted poet, Robert Frost.”

Comments on the back of a sepia print:

“My most powerful record of passing New England. A popular picture among museums and galleries, was invited to the Rhode Island School of Design, the recent annual at Pennsylvania Academy, Philadelphia, and has just been invited by Mr. Harshe to annual exhibition in October at the Art Institute of Chicago. This canvas is now owned by Robert Frost.”

This painting came up for auction at Skinner, Inc. on 5/12/89. Low estimate was $2,500, high estimate was $3,500. Sold for $2,762.

Comments in a notebook by RSW:

"June 19th, 1936: Packed in a crate and sent to Macbeth Galleries, 11 East Street, New York, (through W. S. Budworth the packers at 424 East 52nd Street: Passing New England 30 x 36."