RSW's Diary Comments

Mountains in Summer

There are no diary comments for this painting name, however, Woodward made remarks on the sepia print above mistaking this painting for another, similar painting, Mountains in Summer initially named "Mountains in Vermont." It is clear see that the skies are very different.

We double checked the original negative and prints to confirm its name. The sepia was kept as a record and so we think Woodward saw the print and assumed it was Mountains in Summer without double checking himself that he had the right print.

Speaking of skies, the note written on the wrong sepia print is: (1) about Woodward's dissatisfaction with the sky of Mountains in Summer, and (2) its original name "Mountains in Vermont." See the note below in the Additional Notes Section...

A Mountain in Vermont

According to the Mountains in Summer diary comments, Woodward claims to have originally painted this scene in 1932 and we do not doubt this because we have his 1932 personal diary where he recorded his travels. You can read those entries on that page.

What we want to discuss is that there is something really off about his story. Woodward did not begin compiling his painting diary until the early 1940s. In fact, Dr. Mark claims credit for this. He said he blurted it to him one day driving him around on errands. Woodward liked the idea and so he began work on it.

So how is it that there is NO mention of Hills and Valleys made around 1943 and apparently sold from the Grand Central Galleries? It is seemingly the same painting as the Mountains in Summer but different skies. Here is the hitch, how does Hills and Valleys sell before Mountains in Summer without a mention in the diary?

The back of the sepia showing RSW's notes.
Print is stamped H.R. Ashworth

Note made by Woodward on back of wrong sepia print:

I painted over the entire sky -
The tone of it was always wrong.
? ???? ??? was named.
I don't like that title - because,
"Mountains in Vermont" ???? plural

We are sorry but we just can't seem to make out four of the words in the note but there is enough to get the gist. If you can figure it out contact me- Brian