Robert Strong Woodward - Painter of New England Scenes - Passing New England

 

 

 

PASSING
NEW ENGLAND

30 X 36
This old house was the subject of numerous paintings by Robert Strong Woodward.
 

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 is not for sale.   It is the one among many of my  canvases which was chosen and is owned by our poet, Robert Frost.  I thought it might interest you to see what our great poet, a friend of mine, chose."

Notes:

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, 1936Packed 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."

 

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Last updated: Saturday, September 13, 2008 4:50 PM