Letter from Thomas B. Clarke to Henry Clay Frick, 28 October 1895
Scripto
Transcription
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THOMAS B. CLARKE
THE FINE ARTS
4 EAST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK
New York Oct 28 1895
H. C. Frick Esq.
Pittsburgh Penn.
Dear Mr. Frick
I told you that I would send you some facts about the paintings you purchased by the late George Inness. The "Sundown in the lane" and "Spirit of the night" were both painted in the artists studio at Montclair N. J. The moonlight picture I saw Mr. Inness sign in 1891 myself. When this picture was sent to me he adopted a suggestion of mine to carry the sky over the tree tops on right side. I rarely proposed any change in the artist's composition, but in this instance he agreed with me and seemed very happy over the result. The picture seems perfect to me and I remember that he expressed himself as wholly satisfied with it.
The "Sundown" picture is one of Inness' greatest color triumphs. Under the present glowing surface there are buried at least five pictures - or their phantoms! The canvas was one he delighted to take up and paint on. About the middle of April 1892 without any notice he sent this "Sundown in the lane" to me. It was an entirely new work to me. I had not even seen the sketch! He certainly painted it in ten hours! He shipped it to me same day. I think Mrs. Inness urged
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[begin page 2 of 2]
THOMAS B. CLARKE
THE FINE ARTS
4 EAST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK
this, fearing that he might paint out the beautiful result the next day! He could not resist this canvass [sic] it seems! I think artists and amateurs who knew Inness and studied his paintings will agree that these pictures executed in a few hours, are [begin underlined text] his best works [end underlined text]. In my private collection of his paintings the finest examples of this great mans art were productions of a few hours brush work - but remember, the fifty years of study and experimenting to prepare for such facility and achievement.
If in the arrangement of your collection you could possibly make room for another Inness - there is one now in Boston of great beauty that would be a charming companion for the "Spirit of the Night." I shall have this picture next month and invite you to see it. With the "Sundown" occupying a center, with the "Spirit of the Night" on one side, and the "Mellow Harvest Moon" on the other, you would possess an incomparable triumvirate of landscape art.
Hoping soon to see you again and have the pleasure of showing you the Greek and Oriental vases and statuettes that we are receiving each month.
I am
Faithfully yours
Thomas B. Clarke.
[end page 2 of 2]
THOMAS B. CLARKE
THE FINE ARTS
4 EAST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK
New York Oct 28 1895
H. C. Frick Esq.
Pittsburgh Penn.
Dear Mr. Frick
I told you that I would send you some facts about the paintings you purchased by the late George Inness. The "Sundown in the lane" and "Spirit of the night" were both painted in the artists studio at Montclair N. J. The moonlight picture I saw Mr. Inness sign in 1891 myself. When this picture was sent to me he adopted a suggestion of mine to carry the sky over the tree tops on right side. I rarely proposed any change in the artist's composition, but in this instance he agreed with me and seemed very happy over the result. The picture seems perfect to me and I remember that he expressed himself as wholly satisfied with it.
The "Sundown" picture is one of Inness' greatest color triumphs. Under the present glowing surface there are buried at least five pictures - or their phantoms! The canvas was one he delighted to take up and paint on. About the middle of April 1892 without any notice he sent this "Sundown in the lane" to me. It was an entirely new work to me. I had not even seen the sketch! He certainly painted it in ten hours! He shipped it to me same day. I think Mrs. Inness urged
[end page 1 of 2]
[begin page 2 of 2]
THOMAS B. CLARKE
THE FINE ARTS
4 EAST 34TH STREET
NEW YORK
this, fearing that he might paint out the beautiful result the next day! He could not resist this canvass [sic] it seems! I think artists and amateurs who knew Inness and studied his paintings will agree that these pictures executed in a few hours, are [begin underlined text] his best works [end underlined text]. In my private collection of his paintings the finest examples of this great mans art were productions of a few hours brush work - but remember, the fifty years of study and experimenting to prepare for such facility and achievement.
If in the arrangement of your collection you could possibly make room for another Inness - there is one now in Boston of great beauty that would be a charming companion for the "Spirit of the Night." I shall have this picture next month and invite you to see it. With the "Sundown" occupying a center, with the "Spirit of the Night" on one side, and the "Mellow Harvest Moon" on the other, you would possess an incomparable triumvirate of landscape art.
Hoping soon to see you again and have the pleasure of showing you the Greek and Oriental vases and statuettes that we are receiving each month.
I am
Faithfully yours
Thomas B. Clarke.
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“Letter from Thomas B. Clarke to Henry Clay Frick, 28 October 1895,” Transcribe Frick, accessed April 25, 2024, https://transcribe.frick.org/items/show/422.