Harding's Gallery (Boston)

Harding's Gallery (c. 1833-1847) in Boston, Massachusetts, exhibited works by European and American artists in the 1830s-1840s. The building on School Street also housed a newspaper press; the Mercantile Library Association;[1][2] the Boston Artists' Association;[3] and artists' studios.[4] The building's name derived from painter Chester Harding, who kept his studio there.

Self-portrait by Chester Harding, c. 1843 (courtesy Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)

History

Jefferson auction

In July 1833, an auction occurred at the gallery of some of the paintings bought by Thomas Jefferson in Paris, and subsequently hung about his house at Monticello. Original works for sale included[5] a portrait of George Washington by Joseph Wright/John Trumbull (1784); a portrait of John Adams by Mather Brown (1788); and a portrait of Lafayette by Joseph Boze (1790). The auction also offered copies of works by Domenichino; Holbein; Godfrey Kneller (portrait of John Locke); Leonardo; Le Sueur; Raphael; Ribera; Rubens; Van Dyck; and others. Some of the copies depicted originals in the Palazzo Pitti and elsewhere.

Jefferson's paintings of Natural Bridge and The Potomac Coming Through the Blue Ridge by William Roberts were sold at the Harding auction. The original purchase of these two paintings is recorded in Jefferson's ledger. A copy of the auction catalog for Jefferson's first auction in 1828 is held by the New York Public Library. A copy of the catalog for the Harding auction in 1833 is held by the Alderman Library at the University of Virginia.

Buyers at the Harding auction included James W. Sever; Israel Thorndike, Jr.; and Mrs. John W. Davis.

  • Jesus in the Praetorium. Copy after 1527 original by Jan Gossaert.
  • Descent from the Cross, 16th century, by Frans Floris.
  • John Adams, c. 1788, by Mather Brown.
  • Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, 1817, by John Trumbull.

Exhibitions

Washington Allston

"In 1839 there was an exhibition ... of such works of Washington Allston as could be borrowed for the occasion. This was managed by the friends of the artist for his benefit. The exhibition was held in Harding's Gallery, a square, well-lighted room, but too small for the larger pictures. It was, however, the best room that could be procured for the purpose. Here was shown forty-five pictures, including one or two drawings. ... On entering, the presence of the artist seemed to fill the room. The door-keeper held the door, but Allston held the room."[6] Works included: "Dead man restored to life" (1813); "The Valentine;" "Isaac of York;" "Portrait of Benjamin West, late president of the Royal Academy, London;" "Portrait of Samuel Williams;" "Rosalie;" "Jessica and Lorenzo;" "Portrait of the late Mrs. Wm. Channing;" and others. Lenders to the exhibit included David Sears; James F. Baldwin; George Ticknor; Warren Dutton; Nathan Appleton; Thomas Handasyd Perkins; Thomas H. Perkins Jr.; William H. Sumner; and others.

  • The Poor Author and the Rich Bookseller, by Allston, 1811
  • Donna Mencia in the Robber's Cavern, by Allston, 1815
  • The Sisters, by Allston, c. 1817[7]
  • Portrait of Samuel Williams, by Allston, c. 1817
  • Flight of Florimell, by Allston, 1819
  • Beatrice, by Allston, 1819
  • Saul and the Witch of Endor, by Allston, 1820

Boston Artists Association

The first public exhibit of the newly formed Boston Artists' Association in 1842 at Harding's Gallery featured works by mostly local artists, as well as a few by (or after) European masters (e.g. Tintoretto, Rembrandt). Visitors to the gallery could see recent pieces by Fitz Henry Lane and Gilbert Stuart. T.H. Perkins and others lent works to the exhibition. The second and third exhibits of the association took place 1843-1844. Margaret Fuller, on visiting Harding's on July 6, 1844, wrote in her diary: "I went to town. Artists' Gallery, sad sad sight."[8][9]

Events
  • Advertisement for Benjamin Haydon's "picture of Christ entering Jerusalem, which is now open for exhibition at Mr. Harding's gallery, School Street," c. 1833
  • "Exhibition extraordinary!! The unrivalled tapestries of the cartoons of Raffaelle ... Also, Rubens' large & splendid painting of the crucifixion! ... Now exhibiting at Harding's Gallery, School St., Boston," c. 1830s
  • The Dinner Party, c. 1821, by Henry Sargent, displayed in the 1st Boston Artists' Association exhibit, 1842
  • Abbott Lawrence, c. 1842, by Chester Harding, displayed in the 1st Boston Artists' Association exhibit, 1842
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References
  1. "Harding's buildings;" cf. Boston Almanac. 1838
  2. Daniel Haskell. An address delivered before the Boston Mercantile Library Association, January 3, 1848; p.6.
  3. Leah Lipton. "The Boston Artists' Association, 1841-1851." American Art Journal, Vol. 15, No. 4 (Autumn, 1983), pp. 45-57.
  4. For example, miniature painter W.J. McPherson; cf. Boston Almanac, 1847.
  5. "Jefferson Encyclopedia". Thomas Jefferson Foundation.
  6. Our first great painter, and his works. Atlantic Monthly, Feb. 1865; p.134.
  7. Jules D. Prown. The Sisters by Washington Allston. Annual Report (Fogg Art Museum), No. 1956/1957; p.48
  8. "The Impulses of Human Nature": Margaret Fuller's Journal from June through October 1844." Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Third Series, Vol. 102 (1990); p.78.
  9. C. P. Seabrook Wilkinson. Emerson and the "Eminent Painter." New England Quarterly, Vol. 71, No. 1 (Mar., 1998), p.124.
  10. Diary of Charles Francis Adams: January 1833 - October 1834, Volume 5. Harvard University Press, 1974; p.315+

Further reading
  • Catalogue of valuable oil paintings, many of them old masters, and all choice pictures: being the collection of the late President Jefferson : to be sold at auction, on Friday, July 19, at Mr. Harding's Gallery, School St.: sale to commence at 10 o'clock. J.L. Cunningham, auctioneer. Boston: J.E. Hinckley, 1833.
  • Catalogue of paintings at the artist's exhibition, in Harding's Gallery, Boston, May, 1834. Boston: J.H. Eastburn, 1834.
  • Catalogue of marble statuary now exhibited at Harding's Rooms. Boston: W.W. Clapp, 1834.
  • Exhibition of pictures painted by Washington Allston. Boston: John H. Eastburn, Printer, 1839.
  • Catalogue of a collection of ancient armour and arms, chiefly of the period of Charles V, from the Royal Armoury of Segovia: also, of a choice collection of pictures now exhibiting at Harding's Gallery, School Street. Boston: John H. Eastburn, printer, 1841.
  • A Catalogue of nearly 200 splendid modern European paintings: by the most distinguished European living artists, now exhibiting at Harding's Gallery ... Will be sold ... at public auction, on ... May 25th. J.L. Cunningham, auctioneer. Boston: Marden, 1841.
  • The constitution of the Boston Artists' Association, with a catalogue of the first public exhibition of paintings at Harding's Gallery, no. 22 School Street. Boston: John H. Eastburn, printer, 1842.
  • Catalogue of paintings of the second exhibition of the Boston Artists' Association, 1843. Boston: Wm. White & H.P. Lewis, 1843.
  • Catalogue of paintings, of the third exhibition of the Boston Artists' Association, 1844. Boston: Clapp and Son's Press, 1844.
  • Catalogue of paintings by some of the first masters: lately received from Italy, and now exhibiting for the benefit of the poor of this city, at Harding's Gallery. 1846.
  • Margaret Fuller. "Record of Impressions." The Dial, v.1, no.1, July 1840; p.73+ Review of the 1839 Allston exhibit.
  • Review: Exhibition of Pictures painted by Washington Allston at Harding's Gallery, School Street. North American Review, Vol. 50, No. 107 (Apr., 1840), pp. 358-381.
  • Boston Evening Transcript, June 1, 1842.
  • Daily National Intelligencer, November 22, 1842.
  • The Fine Arts. Exhibition of Harding's Gallery. Boston Daily Courier, September 18, 1843.
  • The Pictures at Harding's Gallery. Boston Evening Transcript. November 22, 1845.
  • The Exhibition at Harding's Gallery. Boston Evening Transcript, November 24, 1845.
  • The Paintings at Harding's Gallery. Boston Evening Transcript, December 6, 1845.
  • Boston Evening Transcript. July 20, 1846.

See also
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