RSW's Diary Comments

None

Editor's Note:

Mysteriously, this painting was discovered removed from its stretcher. It is signed but had some crackling in the paint. It has been fully restored and is now in magnificent condition. It is signed, with Woodward's trademark red "S", otherwise we would question whether this was an unfinished painting. There is very little by way of detail for which Woodward was best know (and criticized). This is not a criticism. we find the painting wonderfully fresh and crisp. I can almost see my breath as I look at it. It is one of the artist most impressionistic paintings and a terrific departure in style.

A Google Maps screen capture of area topography.

There are three known paintings featuring Mount Monadnock in Jaffrey, NH, and one painting showing its peak in the far distance ( Strength of New England ). We know the locations of all of them but this one, of course, because there is no painting diary entry and because it was found without its stretcher. However, note the smaller hill (mtn?) to the left of the painting. We think that might actually be what is named Gap Mountain just a bit to the southwest of Monadnock. According to Google, Monadnock's peak is over 3,100 ft., whereas Gap, which has two peaks is about 60% its height. Still, the two are close to each other and appear to be the highest peak of anything else surrounding Monadnock State Park.

Using the topography of the area, Gap Mountain jumps out. It is the biggest hill/mtn near the massive Monadnock and Monadnock's volume alone makes Gap look small by comparison. Gap would be one of the biggest hills if it were in Buckland. Because we can only see one peak of the hill to the left of Monadnock, we believe, Woodward is most likely south of both mountains putting him probably closer to Fitzwilliam, NH, than Ringe, NH, near Franklin Pierce University on New Hampshire Route 119.