Greenwich Historical Society archives and curatorial staff will host an afternoon in the recently renovated and reopened James Stevenson and Josie Merck Stevenson Library and Archives on Sunday, January 8 at 2pm. The program will delve deeply into the words and life of celebrated American Impressionist John Henry Twachtman and explore his ties to the Holley family in Cos Cob.
Afternoon in the Archives: Twachtman in His Own Words, is an informal, hands-on session that will give participants an opportunity to examine original letters written by and to Twachtman, view rare photographs from the Holley-MacRae papers, and study other primary sources.
“This is an ideal opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Twachtman, the motivations and influences that helped propel his artistic journey to the top tier of American Impressionism, in conjunction with our exhibition: Life and Art: The Greenwich Paintings of John Henry Twachtman, which is on view through January 22,” says Maggie Dimock, Greenwich Historical Society’s Curator of Exhibitions and Collections.
One such letter in the collection written by Twachtman discloses how tired he was of the city, saying “The town is using me up.” According to Twachtman, the business side of things was expensive, and it left him no time to paint. It could be easy from our present-day position to see Twachtman’s works and enjoy his talent and his achievements as forgone conclusions, but this letter shows how hard Twachtman had to work to maintain a foothold in the art world.
Afternoon in the Archives: Twachtman in His Own Words will take place in the James Stevenson and Josie Merck Library and Archives at the Greenwich Historical Society. $15 for Historical Society members, $20 for non-members. Capacity is limited. For more information and to register: greenwichhistory.org/event/afternoon-in-the-reading-room-twachtman-in-his-own-words/
Life and Art: The Greenwich Paintings of John Henry Twachtman is one of the most important art exhibitions in the 91-year history of the Historical Society. The artworks depict Twachtman’s Round Hill Road Greenwich home and its surrounding landscape when he lived there from 1890 to 1899. During this period Twachtman reached artistic maturity and produced many of his best-known works. Featuring 18 artworks on loan from museums and private collections, Life and Art presents a unique view into an era when Twachtman earned a reputation as the most original of the leading American Impressionists. For more information about the exhibition: https://greenwichhistory.org/twachtman/
