A series of curious events occurred over the past few days. Let me recap for you...
It was built in 1814 and named for John Beale Davidge, one of the founders of the school (along with MedChi).
The painting was found in a closet, completely forgotten. As my friend read the plaque, she recognized the name, and knew that I worked at the Medical Society. She asked if I'd be interested in buying it, and of course I said YES and sent them a payment instantly!
I picked the painting up on Saturday and had a chance to examine it over the weekend. Everything looked right for the time it would have been painted. I did some research on the painter, but couldn't come up with anything that worked with the timeframe.
On Monday, I called Larry Pitrof, the Executive Director of the UM Medical Alumni Association (MAA) to ask what he knew about the original painting of Davidge that I assumed they owned.
He told me that the one contemporary painting they had, which was in an oval frame, was stolen in the early 1990s, when Davidge Hall was the President's office, and was open to the public all of the time.
About ten years ago, MAA commissioned a painting of Dr. Davidge so they would have some representation of him.
A black and white photograph of that painting, which I've seen, was lost, as well, probably during one of their renovations.
For the MAA to have a nearly contemporary painting of one of the School's founders, and the Hall's namesake is huge for the University, and I hope that MedChi (and I) get some publicity out of this discovery.
I dropped off the painting on Monday afternoon, to the delight of the Larry who had never seen any copy of the painting. After it's cleaned up, and the renovations are completed, it will take pride of place at Davidge Hall. We are so pleased about how all of this turned out.
Hi Meg, This is a great story of discovery and cooperation, and UM definitely owes you one! The most remarking part of this saga to me is the inscription "Dr. John Beale Davidge" on the back of the painting. I don't think I have ever seen such neat printing, especially considering that this was written on rough canvas. The "From the original" notation below seems more like the writing of an ordinary human being, although still much better than I could ever write.
ReplyDelete--Jim
p.s. Perhaps this is a Maryland thing. Edgar Allan Poe also had great handwriting. Take a look at this note (now in the Morgan Library) he sent concerning the printing of The Raven:
https://www.themorgan.org/blog/nevermore-%E2%80%93-ah-nevermore
I am so pleased that it all came together so quickly!
DeleteVery cool. As far as the painter is concerned, I think this is your man:
ReplyDeleteArthur Ludwig Ratzka (1869-1958) was a popular Hungarian portraitist that's primarily known for his work during the early 20th-century. Numerous society figures sat for him along with various political leaders.
Shortly after his divorce from writer Clare Ratzka, he headed for New York and became an authority on pastel portraits. In a newspaper interview, he explained that a subject's soul can be read via expressions of the face.
"He who occupies himself with the study of the face quickly observes that every inward thought or emotional reaction finds its expression in the face. The most advantageous expression of the model's characteristics, finely painted, produces a beautiful, sincere portrait of the personality. To catch that right moment is the problem of the true portrait painter".
https://bravefineart.com/blogs/artist-directory/ratzka-arthur-ludwig-b-1869?srsltid=AfmBOooP3PZtFy5gmmk5ynL049676Ju9Vxnl4_hATatmrl1NprHDsZg2
Not sure about this, as the painting was (allegedly) done in 1844.
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