Woodward did not keep a diary of his chalk drawings.
Making sense of Woodward's Boston paintings are perhaps the most difficult process we have encountered
putting together the website. In 1930, Woodward temporarily swapped homes with his dear cousin
Florence Haeberle who was living in West Newtown, MA, at the time. He went there to paint as part of the city's year
long 300th birthday celebration. We believe Woodward was there to capture scenes of old Boston while its citizens were
feeling nostalgic. The paintings are among the most romantic paintings of his entire catalog, such as, Ye Ole Oyster House
and the since demolished T Wharf.
The complications arise from his confusing painting diaries and the fact that:
(1) he made varying sizes and versions of the same scene; (2) then named them similarly, like with this chalk being named
the same as an oil by a different subject; (3) while exhibiting the various sizes at the same time at differing shows; and
finally (4), seemingly not satisfied with their names. He changed some to another name years later and sometimes referred
to other paintings, like the 36" x 42", oil version of In Old Boston the "Oyster House" several times in his
exhibition notes. It really is maddening and difficult to track.
"...a picture that should be in the 'old state house', for it shows one of the few architectural bits of old Boston along Union Street which carry back to the 18th century. And it is painted in just the right key."
Note the above critique refers to the oil painting, of which this drawing was a copy. We do not know the whereabouts of the oil.
A large portion of the right-hand side appears unfinished. It was not uncommon in a number of RSW pastels, in this time period. It was an attempt, in part, of Woodward using modern devices such as these unfinished areas to give it a sketch-like feel to it. There are a number of chalk drawings from this time period where the artist leave it to you fill in the rest.
This chalk drawing is privately owned.
Just for fun, Click Here to learn what a good steak or lobster dinner cost in the 1940's
The neighborhood street you see in the pastel painting above is most likely in the same area
as the Ole Oyster House on Union Street. It appears more residential, meaning less touristy than the crowd you would see around
the famous restaurant but we have been unable to identify it for certain. However, if you see how the street widens from a narrow
path to a wider one. This scene could possibly be Salt Lane immediately behind the oyster house building. Note there are no cars on
the "street" near what is probably just an alley people can walk.
Examine the Google map captured image to the left and
you will see a similar angle of road just behind the Oyster House on Salt Lane.
For an excellent map of Boston in 1895
CLICK HERE. The map will open in a new tab. Zoom in on it and see if you can find the location of the Ole Oyster House.
With the development of the new government center in the 20th century and the big dig of the 21st century. The area has changed so
much. However, if you use the location of Faneuil Hall, and find Hanover Street you will locate Green Dragon Lane today known as
Union Street. Union Street did exist in 1895, just not south of Hanover.