A Guide to the Papers of Rockwell Kent, 1914-1921 #6335-a

Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

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University of Virginia
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Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Special Collections Department

Scope and Content Information

Kent's letters discuss World War I, and the characteristics of the British and German people; and mention the German Relief Fund, suspicions that Kent is a German spy and that the police are intercepting his mail. He also discusses life in Newfoundland, money owed, and financial hardship; Impressionism, Cubism, and Futurism; and the sale of his paintings by Ewing and Chappell; and comments on the 1915 Matisse show and the Rand School.

Four photographs of Kent and his home in Brigus, Newfoundland, and a sketch of the St. John's harbor are included.

Correspondents include Charles Daniel and Mrs. Gilchrist.

Contents List

Letters

Rockwell Kent to Mr. [Charles] Daniel 1914 Apr 20

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Mentions picture for Mr. Putnam, work on remodeling house, and requests $15 owed him by C. D.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 May 22

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Thanks for Times supplement. Has sent painting for Putnam. Complains about not receiving money owed.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Jun 3

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Discusses his painting; is greatly stimulated by the Newfoundland area and people.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Jun 20

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Mentions C. D.'s trip abroad and writes of his life in Newfoundland.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Sep 7

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Discusses his problem with the police in Brigus which appears to stem from his speaking of his German sympathies.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Sep 11

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Discusses the war, and the British vs. the German people.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Oct 7

ALS. w/env. 3 p.

[Discusses his thoughts on truth, emotions, life and art. Mentions Stieglitz, Hartley, Putnam, and Ruggles.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Oct 21

ALS. w/env. 1 p.

[Indicates he will send a picture for the December exhibition. Mentions he has had tonsillitis.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Oct 26

ALS. 1 p.

[Requests address of Henry Mielke who is in charge of receiving contributions for the German relief fund.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Nov 2

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Requests an advance of money; is behind in paying bills. Suspects the police are holding up his letters.]
R. K. to C. D. 1914 Nov 28

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Has shipped the picture from St. Johns for his exhibition. Some people in Brigus think he is making maps for Germany and is a spy. Discusses his working conditions. Includes sketch of St. John's harbor.]
R. K. to C. D. 1915 Jan 8

ALS. w/env. 4 p.

[Discusses his problems with getting his paintings through customs. Asks C. D. to deliver enclosed letter to congressman concerning the problem.]
R. K. to C. D. 1915 Jan 8

ALS. 3 p.

[In same envelope as above.] [Outlines his case against local officials who threaten to seize and detain his paintings. Requests help from U. S.]
R. K. to C. D. 1915 Jan 12

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Discusses sale of his drawings by Mr. Chappell of Ewing and Chappell, and payment for same. Suspects the police are reading his mail.]
R. K. to C. D. 1915 Jan 17

ALS. w/env. 2 p.

[Has received catalog and requests copies of the half tone of his painting.]
R. K. to C. D. 1915 Mar

ALS. [w/env dated 1915 Mar 24]2 p.

[Comments on the catalog of the Matisse show and the asinine argument printed therein. Mentions his own work. Discusses Impressionism, and its relationship to Cubism and Futurism.]