RSW's Diary Comments

Portrait of a Shadow Sepia Print

"Painted 1931 or '32. A canvas I have loved myself and admired more than any other I ever made. Very much exhibited and praised canvas but for some strange reason one that has never sold up to this writing (1942). Painted from the lower field of the Stetson farm in West Hawley, of the back of the little farm house just below the Stetson place. Sold Nov. 1943, to Miss Esther Garbose of Gardner, Mass."

Boston Globe, March 10, 1931 by A.J. Philpott

"The Little Farm House is a picture which tells the story of Winter in one of the remote settlements in the hill country. The pioneer spirit that built New England is in that picture."

Syracuse Post Standard, May 31, 1931. Art Chat, by Anna W. Olmsted.

" I love The Little Farm House which the artist says that he almost called this Portrait of a Shadow. And the portrait of a shadow does indeed constitute the center of interest --- a nice warm, never gloomy, shadow glowing with color, and laid caressingly alongside a touch o' sun. One is conscious of warm underlay and tawny depths beneath the surface, both in this and in Fall Flame."

Syracuse Post Standard, May, 1931

"The Little Farm House almost bears a secure little personality within that harmonious cottage secluded in a knoll. A rare comment was offered by the artist himself, concerning this piece: 'Really, it is the portrait of a shadow! --- a title I nearly gave the picture'"