Even as it awaits restoration, the historic Bronson House in Hudson, New York, reveals its architectural charms
Arms and the Man
We spoke with Joel Bohy, a specialist in historic arms and militaria for Skinner Auctioneers and Appraisers, about his vast and varied knowledge of military history and material culture, his expeditions to archaeological digs at battlefields, and his talent for making reproduction arms and uniforms.
Frederic Church’s Olana on the Hudson
“Almost an hour this side of Albany is the Center of the World,” wrote Frederic Edwin Church (1826– 1900) to his friend sculptor Erastus Dow Palmer. He added: “I own it.” Church, preeminent among the Hudson River school painters, was referring to Olana, his magnificent “Persian” style mansion and the surrounding 250 mountaintop acres of landscape he subtly designed.
Editor’s Letter: January/February 2019
We moved offices recently—and you all know what a joy moving can be. We’re now on the far west side of Midtown Manhattan, the neighborhood where two of New York’s great fictional characters resided: Nero Wolfe, the ingenious, orchidfancying, and largely housebound private detective, and his much more dynamic legman and chronicler, Archie Goodwin.
Lax and lost wax
Driving into Blue Hill, Maine, it’s hard to miss the eleven-foot-tall bronze statue in front of an otherwise classic New England white clapboard building on Main Street: a glorious Native American figure in full stride raises his lacrosse stick high and cradles a ball in the pocket.
The unexpected virgin
While in New York recently, Stan Mabry, a fine arts dealer, did a double take. He saw a painting that he had known of for many years, but only as the centerpiece among many works of art in a black-and-white photo of a Paris studio in the 1890s.
Philadelphia Stories
Introducing a new section in which curators discuss ongoing research projects and other collection notes. First up, Alexandra Kirtley of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Kilt built: The Victoria & Albert opens a satellite museum for Scottish design
It’s good to stand in a new civic building like the V&A Dundee and feel the well-earned pride of people who’ve done something grand. Not just the curators, the rest of the staff, the local officials, and the building team. The new museum enlisted the entire city. For them, it’s a measure of Dundee’s future.
Passing the mantels
We catch up with Dr. Joseph “Buddy” Jenrette III, who was recently named chairman of the of the Classical American Homes Preservation Trust, taking over from his uncle, Richard Hampton “Dick” Jenrette who died in April.
Editor’s Letter: September/October 2018
“Do you read German?” The question was asked as my folks and I, a few weeks ago, were poking around a new shop near their home in the Hudson valley called Quittner Antiques. It almost startled me.