RSW's Diary Comments

Mild Winter sepia

"Painted about 1940 - 41. The Heath Pasture Beech Tree, ledges, band of hills etc. in winter, but with 'open' winter effect showing much of the pasture growth and coloring through the snow. A 'warm' cheerful canvas. Beech tree to the left of center. Bought in Nov. 1946, by Mrs. Wm. S. Allen, 491 Main St. Greenfield."

A Mild Winter Day, c. 1940 is the pastel painting
equivalent to the oil above, a common practice of RSW.

Woodward wrote the buyer of this painting a "note" in response to a letter he had received. The Mrs. Allen must of asked why there were no distinct mountain peaks in the painting because he goes into wonderful detail of the direction (southeast toward his beloved Buckland Hills!) his studio faced and the hills that can be seen . He then tells her what peaks could be seen to the left and right of the scope given in the painting.


Also, Mrs. Allen must have made a comment or remark about the Christmas card with the painting, "Snow Symphony" which was once named "Winter Dignity" and owned by poet Robert Frost. We believe RSW changed the name of the painting after Frost returned it in exchange for another painting because it was his wife's favorite and according to Frost, it was too difficult to look at, after her death. Woodward, with some difficulty and annoyance agreed to do so and Frost picked When Sap Runs.

A rare color (Kodachrome) picture of the Heath
Pasture house and studio from northwest of the cabin
looking southeast toward Buckland in the distance.

Still, it was heavily reported that Frost owned "Winter Dignity" and as such, perhaps, Woodward changed the name to not draw any attention to either artist. We no longer believe that Snow Symphony is its own separate canvas based on this letter.

What is really so wonderful about this letter is that we learn that his Heath Pasture Studio was aligned to give him a view of both his triumphant tree (the beech tree) and the Buckland hills from which he made a home! Leave it to him to find his ideal happy place, symbolism and all- Such is the life of a poet, is it not?

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November 10, 1945 letter regarding November Paths

Letter Dated: January 19, 1949

Dear Mrs.___________-
I am not in a situation this evening to write you the letter I have wanted to write since Christmas but having to be at my desk a short while I will send just a note to assure you that I deeply appreciate your writing me a message at Christmas time. It grieves me to learn that your husband passed on ahead of us a short while ago. I didn't know of this loss having come to you. May God give you comfort.

You speak of my Christmas card. It is a reproduction of a painting of mine owned by Robert Frost - who is a loved friend. No, the scene is not from my present home, but was made from near my late home in Buckland that burned a few years ago.

I am so pleased to have you speak of still enjoying the painting of the winter Beech tree which hangs in your room. So many of my canvases I continue to hear, keep living for long in the owners' affections. Although from my Heath Pasture, from where the picture was painted, I do see many prominent New England mountains, the blue band of your picture happens to be a section with no noted peaks. It is the line of hills South West of Heath, including the general section of Buckland, Ashfield and Hawley and Conway. A little farther to the right one would see Mt. Greylock and just to the left of the frame would be Mt. Tom, Mt. Haystack and Sugarloaf. This will let your imagination wander the farther, now as you glance at the painting! May the new year bring you comfort, peace and solace!

Robert Strong Woodward.