Frederic Porter Vinton: First Boston Commission

"Thomas Gold Appleton" by Frederic Vinton

"In the autumn of 1878 Frederic Porter Vinton returned to Boston, and established himself in a studio in Winter Street, at the top of a six-story building. Mr. Appleton had sent to the the artist in Paris a sum of money as a commission, and to fulfill this contract the painter offered him the painting he had entered in the Paris Salon. Vinton said: '

'He came pounding his way with his cane up my five long flights of stairs to see the picture. He at once exclaimed, 'You don't mean that for me, do you?' I answered yes, if he would accept it. 'My little order didn't amount to anything, but this does!' He brought a bevy  of pretty women with him on the day following to see my work, and on the day following that he came and proposed that I paint his portrait, for, as he remarked, he felt as though he had robbed me by taking my little painting, and wished to make it up to me in some way. 'When can you begin?' he asked. 'Now,' said I, 'at once.' 'Good!' he exclaimed, 'What fun!' When I said at last, 'There, it is finished,' he exclaimed, 'I like it. That is the man I shave every morning!'

This portrait, which is owned by the Harvard Museum, and is included in the present exhibition, may be said to have determined Vinton's career. It was exhibited at the private gallery of Messrs. Doll and RIchards, and excited much interest and attention. Its sure and vigorous handling struck a new note, and while it was somewhat suggestive of the painter's French masters, it was so individual and sincere as to show conclusively that a new and noteworthy personality had entered the field. Vinton had painted it with a direct simplicity, much as he might have painted a French peasant. Dr. Rimmer, who came into town to see it, congratulated him upon the success of the portrait, and then added with a smile, 'It is perhaps too strong.' It certainly did not indicate an artist who would make his way by painting pretty flatteries, but as time goes on the work gains steadily in favor."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Memorial Exhibition of the Works of Frederic Porter Vinton" by Arlo Bates on behalf of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1911.)