I’ve always loved
this painting.
It was in my grandfather’s house; my father remembered it hanging in
his bedroom when he was growing up. At some point, my father inherited it from
his parents, and I from him.
It’s on the west wall of my guest bedroom; the light yellow walls pick
up the soft greens and yellows and browns of the grasses and fall leaves; the mountains
rise high in the background—strong gray and blue under a pale sky.
I’m pretty sure it’s someplace in New Hampshire—the mountains look
right to me (for those of you who don’t know, the mountains in New Hampshire
have a particular shape and heft, a sense of self that’s unmistakable).
Elizabeth Della Richardson was born in (English) Canada in 1887; by 1910,
she was a naturalized citizen, married to my great-great uncle Melvin W. Gould,
Jr. living in Manchester, NH, first in a rented house, but soon in a house they
owned on Maple Street. Elizabeth’s mother, a widow, lived with them.
Melvin was a foreman in a shoe factory—a good job for a man who had
only one year of high school education; Elizabeth, a college graduate, was “at
home.”
And while “at home,” she painted.
Beautifully.
A very lovely painting.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kerryn. I always wanted to find that house, to live in it...perfect!
DeleteDeb, I have three of her watercolors, all lanscapes. She signed them in various ways; E.R.Gould (undated), Elizabeth R. Gould (undated), and Elizabeth D. Richardson 1912. There are a couple of others in the family I remember seeing. One that my parents had was of a lighthouse tower completely surounded by water. I always wondered what lighthouse that was. If you notice the dates on the ones marked with one, they were all done 100 years ago. I also often wonder where she learned to paint so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteI wondered if you might have some of them -- I just love mine...I've always loved it. There must be more of them, but I don't know where they'd be...maybe my brother (or yours).
DeletePaintings like the one you are featuring by Elizabeth give one a wonderful sense of peace. Just looking at it relaxes you. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree, Gail! It's very soothing...and looks just wonderful on my guestroom wall...
DeleteA charming painting, even poetic in the way it captures mood and emotion that a photograph would miss.
ReplyDeleteIt does catch the mood, doesn't it? She lived in downtown Manchester, NH, so probably loved being outdoors...I realize that I do not have a photo of her....
DeleteJust beautiful. You must absolutely treasure that painting.
ReplyDeleteI've always been charmed by it, Alex. Wanted to find a little farmhouse just like it...when I was little, I used to imagine the people who lived in it!
DeleteSuch a wonderful peaceful landscape to hang in a bedroom, with the added pleasure that it was a family favourite. The scene reminds me of our holidays in rural Bavaria in Germany.
ReplyDeleteBavaria, eh? I just might have to go for a visit if it looks like this painting. It's always been a peaceful scene to me...
DeleteI can see why you are so fond of this painting, and to know that it is painted by a member of your family makes it a special treasure.
ReplyDeleteIt is a "special treasure" to us all, believe me. There's something wonderful about a 100-year old watercolor that's been in the family that long...special indeed!
DeleteThe house looks substantial so there's a good chance it still exists. Good excuse for a holiday to go hunt for the landscape.
ReplyDeleteTHAT would be fun! I'd have to match the mountains, I think...and go from there. Can't tell if it's Monadnock or not...
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