RSW's Diary Comments

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Editor's Note:

The Beech Tree, 1950, a gift to Dr. Mark

Note the simple "S" instead of "Strong"

Over the years we have had multiple theories regarding this painting nicely framed, with a nameplate attached, yet notably unsigned by the artist. It is well painted and we cannot find any obvious reason for it not to be unsigned. It will probably remain a mystery but recently we asked ourselves, what reason would Woodward nicely frame, a well made painting, AND give it a name but not sign the canvas? We can only could up with one thing: it was a gift to someone, a family member or friend.

It is the one thing the artist was most insistent about- his gifts not be sold and money made off it his name. He would not even sign his full name on a painting made for Dr. Mark when he asked and Dr. Mark was like a son to him. While it is the MOST likely option we have, this still does not explain how it ended up in Woodward's storage space at the time of his death. Was it returned to him after its recipient perhaps passed away before him? Did he change his mind and never give the gift? Was it made for some special occasion, some forthcoming nuptials perhaps, and the wedding never happened? We have records of the artist giving paintings as wedding gifts... Whatever it is, this does not take away or diminish the canvas or its value.

Mountains in Summer, 1932

Another matter of debate amongst ourselves is just what Vermont mountain this may be and the only thing we can say with certainty is that it is not Mount Equinox in Manchester. We compare this painting to other Vermont mountains and it could be any number of them. We have records He painted Mount Stratton from Peru and vice versa. He painted Mount Haystack in Whitingham, VT from several different angles, and then there is Mount Aeolus in Peru that he visited twice 20 years apart. Still, this scene feels quite similar to Mountains in Summer which was originally named, "Mountains in Vermont."