RSW's Diary Comments

An excerpt from RSW's diary comments for The Potter Homestead.

Mr. Francis P. Garvan
Mr. Garvan and his wife Mabel (Brady) spent
years compiling one of the finest collections
of early American home decor, furnishings,
and decorative silver serveware in her name.

"Painted 1937. One of the many paintings I made this season of 1937 through Macbeth for a Mr. Garvan who wished to present a collection of paintings to Yale University showing the growth of architecture (largely churches but also of fine dwellings) in America. I made many of this series but Mr. Garvan suddenly died before he could honor his contract with me, much to my loss. Since I could now sell them privately the above canvas was bought by the owner of the house itself, Mrs. Arthur D. Potter, of 486 Main Street, Greenfield, Mass. and hangs in her beautiful drawing room."

Editor's Note:

This is remarkable. We have, at the most, three sepia prints of chalk drawings and this is by far the best of them. Why there is a print, we do not know. It could be for any number of reasons but primarily the sepias were used to send to galleries and exhibition panels as an illustration of the painting. Not all paintings have sepias, probably because it would be expensive. However, because this pastel is linked to the Garvan Commission, it is likely that Woodward made the chalk at the scene to paint later in his studio and the print was made and sent to Mr. Garvan for his approval of the subject which is the "fine dwelling."

The Potter home- front view

The timing of this commission of paintings is coinciding with two substantial events of historic significance being celebrated in Vermont. There are two anniversaries. The first is the 175th anniversary of the Battle of Bennington. It is one of the most significant battles of the Revolutionary War and perhaps marks the turning point of the war. The victory would lead to the victory at Saratoga Springs weeks later. For that celebration, the Bennington Church is being renovated and will hold a rededication ceremony to commemorate the anniversary. Approximately 60 miles to the north is the East Poultney church that is in the midst of a full restoration, funded by its hometown son George Jones, co-founder of the New York Times (NYT) newspaper. Poultney is linked forever to Bennington because it was attacked by the British before the Battle of Bennington and its women and children walked the 60 miles in the dark of night to Bennington for safety and to warn Bennington of the British troops impending approach.

It is fair to say that this is a BIG deal at the time. Heck, the NYTs is covering its progress regularly in its paper. People like Garvan, and probably Electra Havemeyer Webb, founder of the Shelburne Museum and sister to Woodward's best customer, Adaline Frelinghuysen, both devoted Vermonters, are in all likelihood involved. There is no way this is not a big deal for Woodward and his career, possibly to his legacy as well. Then misfortune with the death of Mr. Garvan, and Mrs. Garvan does not honor her husband's deal with Woodward. We have a couple theories as to why but that is for an essay we are currently working on and coming soon.

The Potter home- side view

There are 3 known paintings of the Potter homestead, 2 oils and 1 chalk drawing. One of the paintings was intended to be part of the Francis Garvin commission. Garvin, through the MacBeth Galleries, commissioned Woodward to paint historically significant New England architecture demonstrating its "growth." The series was to focus mostly on churches but include certain "fine dwellings." RSW only painted 3 churches in oil before Garvin's unexpected and sudden death (there were, we believe, a number of unfinished paintings - 1 oil and 2 chalks plus a sketch in pencil) and as far as we know the was the only home. Photographs of the Potter Homestead were found in RSW's personal items along with pictures of the Bennington Church, we believe to work from in his studio.