Greenwich Historical Society celebrated the acquisition of an important work of art by American Impressionist painter John Henry Twachtman (1853-1902), a central figure of the Cos Cob Art Colony, at a reception to honor the donors who made the purchase possible.
Twachtman’s “Front Porch” (painted ca. 1896-99) is a vibrant depiction of the south entrance of Twachtman’s house on Round Hill Road in Greenwich, where he lived with his family beginning in 1889. The canvas features a sun-dappled view of the house’s neoclassical-inspired portico and front porch balustrade, architectural elements added by the artist in 1895.
“We are grateful to the generous donors who enabled us to purchase the painting in honor of art historian and long-serving Greenwich Historical Society Trustee Dr. Susan G. Larkin,” says Historical Society Executive Director and CEO Debra Mecky. “A distinguished scholar and curator, Dr. Larkin has made indelible contributions to public knowledge and appreciation of the Cos Cob Art Colony and its artists.”
Mecky acknowledged the donors who include Sally and Larry Lawrence, Mary Ellen LeBien, Isabel and Peter L. Malkin, John E. Nelson, David and Lindsay Ormsby, Lucy and Lawrence Ricciardi, Davidde and Ronald Strackbein, Reba and Dave Williams, Lily Downing and David Yudain. Donor John Nelson currently resides in Twachtman’s former home on Round Hill Road.
PBS Museum Access Screening
Attendees at the reception also viewed a screening of an episode of the public television program Museum Access that focuses on the Impressionist paintings of the Cos Cob Art Colony. Museum Access Host and Executive Producer Leslie Mueller takes viewers on a tour through The Bruce Museum’s galleries and the Historical Society’s Bush-Holley House to view some of the finest examples of American Impressionism, including works by Twachtman, Childe Hassam and Elmer MacRae.
The program airs nationwide beginning this month and will be available to stream via Amazon n Amazon Video, Tubi and Pluto TV. Educational streaming platforms include Discovery Education, Safari Montage and Scholastic Video.
Front Porch is on view for visitors in the Historical Society’s Permanent Collections Gallery. Further information regarding the painting may be found by accessing the John Henry Twachtman Catalogue Raisonné, a free online resource of all known works by Twachtman, authored by Dr. Lisa N. Peters in collaboration with the Greenwich Historical Society (www.jhtwachtman.org).
