Carnegie Mellon University - Andrew Carnegie Online Archives

Active Filters:
  • Subject = Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence
  • Subject = Art commissions

About This Collection

This collection contains primary resources about Carnegie's bequests along with supporting explanatory text, that teachers will be able to use as part of their curriculum.
Displaying 33 items
Filter
(Samuel H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, June 5, 1911)
(Samuel H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, June 5, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions, New York (N.Y.)
A typescript letter from Secretary, presumably from Samuel H. Church, to Mr. Anders L. Zorn regarding a portrait Zorn painted of Andrew Carnegie. Church explains that he has not yet been able to inspect the portrait. Church expects to be in New York on June 22, 1911 to see the painting and will write to Zorn after that.
(Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty, August 31, 1911)
(Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty, August 31, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Beatty, John W. (John Wesley), 1851-1924, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920--Correspondence, Bertram, James, 1872-1934, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions
A typescript letter from Secretary, presumably Samuel H. Church, to John W. Beatty concerning the portrait Anders Zorn painted of Andrew Carnegie. Church states that he is enclosing correspondence from Anders Zorn, dated August 18, 1911 and James Bertram, presumably dated June 30, 1911. He asks Beatty to return the enclosed correspondence to him after he has read it. Church states that Bertram's negative opinion of the portrait is the same as Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carnegie. He asks Beatty what they should do about the portrait. He writes that Bertram ""has enclosed an order for the portrait"" and asks Beatty if they should get the portrait from Carnegie's house before he returns from abroad or ""sit tight and do nothing more until something drops"". A P.S. is included stating that Mr. and Mrs. Church stopped at Plymouth for a couple of days and they are ""about ready to join"" Beatty and Mr. Hamerschlag ""as members of the Plymouth colony next year"".
(Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty, May 19, 1911)
(Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty, May 19, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Beatty, John W. (John Wesley), 1851-1924--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Correspondence, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Art commissions, Portraits, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Carnegie, Louise, Whitfield, Estelle, Franks, Thetta Quay, Bertram, James, 1872-1934
A typescript letter from Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty in regards to a portrait of Andrew Carnegie that was painted by Anders Zorn. In the letter Church refers to a telegram he sent Beatty from the train he was on May 19, 1911 in which he stated ""that the Zorn portrait of Mr. Carnegie is a total failure"". Church writes that Mr. Carnegie, Mrs. (Louise) Carnegie, Miss (Estelle) Whitfield and Mrs. (Thetta Quay) Franks all dislike the portrait. Church states that Carnegie thinks that the portrait looks like a ""beer-swilling, lounging German"" and is a ""libelous canvas"". The portrait has been placed facing inwards on a shelf in James Bertram's office. Carnegie was told by Zorn that someone would ""call for it"" but no one has done so yet. Church believes that if the portrait is that bad he thinks that ""we should reject it"" and not pay the $7,000 fee for the portrait. In his above mentioned telegram he asked Beatty to take one or two experts to look at the painting. Church writes that he has written to Carnegie to inform him that Beatty will call on him to look at the portrait. Signed Secretary. Includes a P.S. with a note that Church has asked Mr. Bruce to sign letter for him and another P.S. that he also just received Beatty's telegram presumably of May 19, 1911. He asks Beatty to send him a wire on Monday ""so that I will know what is in the air"".
(Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty, May 26, 1911)
(Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty, May 26, 1911)
Beatty, John W. (John Wesley), 1851-1924--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions, Garber, J. A., Pittsburgh (Pa.), Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence
A typescript letter from Samuel H. Church to John W. Beatty in reference to a letter from Beatty written on May 22, 1911. In the letter of May 22, 1911, Beatty thinks the portrait ""is by far and away the best painting I have seen of Mr. Carnegie"". He also writes that ""there may be some shortcomings"". In the letter of May 22, 1911, Beatty writes if Church wants to make arrangements to send for the canvas he should ask ""my Mr. Garber to arrange the details. Church writes that after reading Beatty's letter of May 22, 1911, he concludes that the portrait of Carnegie is not a ""hideous caricature and total failure which Mr. Carnegie esteems it to be"". Church advises not to take ownership of the painting and is concerned about spending $7,000 for the painting if it is a ""bad portrait"". Church does not want to do anything about the painting situation at present until Church and Beatty meet on the subject or unless ""Zorn does something in the meantime"". A P.S. follows with a retyping of a letter from Anders Zorn dated May 15, 1911 in which Zorn states he has done his best with Carnegie's portrait. Church ends the P.S. with stating that it looks like they are ""stuck"" with the portrait and he will make arrangements with Mr. Garber to bring the portrait here (Pittsburgh).
(S.H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, April 15, 1911)
(S.H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, April 15, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Correspondence, Carnegie Institute. Board of Trustees, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Art commissions, Portraits, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930--Portraits, Portraits, New York (N.Y.), Pittsburgh (Pa.), Founder's Day (Carnegie Institute), Carnegie Institute--Anniversaries, etc.
A typescript letter from Samuel H. Church to Anders L. Zorn stating that the Trustees of the Carnegie Institute authorize him to paint a portrait of Andrew Carnegie, ""for a price not to exceed $5,000"". Church writes that he understands that Zorn will begin painting Carnegies portrait when he is done with President Taft's portrait. He then writes that he wants Zorn to inform him when Mr. Carnegie will be expected for the first sitting. Church explains that Carnegie will leave New York City on April 26th to go to Pittsburgh, Pa. to the Founder's Day celebration and will return to New York City on April 26th. He asks Zorn if he would start the portrait before Carnegie leaves for Pittsburgh and resume when he returns to New York. Church asks Zorn to please acknowledge receipt. In a P.S. Church states that they want Zorn to paint a larger portrait of Carnegie and asks what the size would be for the $7,000 price.
(S.H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, January 9, 1912)
(S.H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, January 9, 1912)
Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920--Correspondence, Carnegie Institute--Board of Trustees, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions, Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence
An unsigned typescript letter from Samuel Harden Church to Swedish painter Anders Zorn concerning payment for the commissioned portrait of Andrew Carnegie.
(S.H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, July 12, 1911)
(S.H. Church to Anders L. Zorn, July 12, 1911)
Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions, Carnegie Institute. Board of Trustees, Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence
A typescript copy of a letter from Samuel Harden Church to Anders L. Zorn, concerning a portrait of Andrew Carnegie painted by Zorn. In the letter Mr. Church expresses his disappointment in the portrait. He states that he has looked at the portrait in different light and distance and examined it carefully and he does not ""find the picture satisfactory under these tests"". Because Zorn only gave Andrew Carnegie four sittings and ""hurried away on the steamer the next morning"" Church feels the portrait was done too quickly and looks unfinished. Church goes on to write about the Trustees (Carnegie Institute, Board of Trustees) desire to have a portrait of ""this great philanthropist"" that would be handed ""down to posterity as a masterpiece"". Church does not feel the portrait meets the Trustees expectations and he doesn't feel the portrait is ""finished and complete"". He ask Zorn if he they should wait until he returns to America to ""complete the work"". Marked ""(COPY)"" at top of page one.
(S.H. Church to Andrew Carnegie, April 12, 1911)
(S.H. Church to Andrew Carnegie, April 12, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Correspondence, Carnegie Institute. Board of Trustees, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Art commissions, Cleveland, Grover, 1837-1908, Hill, David Jayne, 1850-1932
A typescript letter from Samuel H. Church to Andrew Carnegie regarding a resolution by the Carnegie Institute Board of Trustees to authorize a portrait to be painted of Andrew Carnegie. If this is agreeable to Carnegie, Church recommends Swedish painter, Anders L. Zorn to do the portrait. Mr. Zorn had painted the portraits of President Cleveland and Ambassador Hill. Includes signature of S.H. Church and penciled notations.
(S.H. Church to Andrew Carnegie, April 15, 1911)
(S.H. Church to Andrew Carnegie, April 15, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Correspondence, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Portraits, Art commissions, Arlington Hotel (Washington, D.C.), Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Founder's Day (Carnegie Institute), Carnegie Institute--Anniversaries, etc.
A typescript letter from Samuel H. Church to Andrew Carnegie concerning the portrait that Mr. Anders Zorn will paint of Carnegie. Church explains that he got in touch with Mr. Zorn as soon as he received Carnegies telegram. He writes that Mr. Zorn is now staying at the Arlington Hotel in Washington, D.C. and is currently painting a portrait of President Taft. This portrait of Taft will not be finished until around April 22, 1911 and Zorn would then be available to paint Carnegie's portrait. He mentions that Carnegie's visit to Pittsburgh, Pa. for Founder's Day would probably interrupt his sitting for the portrait. He will let Carnegie know if Zorn would like to start painting the portrait before or after Carnegie's visit to Pittsburgh. Includes signature of S.H. Church and penciled in corrections in the letter.
(S.H. Church to James Bertram, July 13, 1911)
(S.H. Church to James Bertram, July 13, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Bertram, James, 1872-1934--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions, Carnegie, Louise, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Homes and haunts--New York (State)--New York
A typescript letter from Samuel H. Church to James Bertram concerning a portrait of Andrew Carnegie that was painted by Anders Zorn. Church writes that he received Bertram's private letter dated June 30, 1911 and he states that they (presumably Carnegie Institute, Board of Trustees) are all very disappointed with the portrait. He relates that he went to New York to inspect Zorn's portrait and he agrees with Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carnegie's opinions of the portrait. Church notes that ""while Mr. Zorn may be one of the world's greatest portrait painters "", he feels that he rushed in painting the portrait and didn't pay enough attention to the portrait. He writes that Zorn gave President Taft eight sittings and Andrew Carnegie only four. His portrait of President Taft is ""said to be a good one"". Church states that he wrote to Zorn and told him the portrait of Carnegie was a failure. He has included a copy of the letter to Anders Zorn. The paining is being left at Carnegie's house for now. A P.S. states that he returns the private memorandum Bertram sent to him.
(S.H. Church to John W. Beatty, May 19, 1911)
(S.H. Church to John W. Beatty, May 19, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Beatty, John W. (John Wesley), 1851-1924--Correspondence, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions
A handwritten text, presumably for a telegram from Samuel H. Church to John Beatty, concerning Andrew Carnegie's dislike of a portrait painted of him presumably by Anders Zorn. After four sittings the work was stopped and Church asks Beatty to ""take one or two competent judges"" to look at the painting at Andrew Carnegie's house. He asks Beatty to respond to him. Care Conductor P.R.R. No. 24 beginning of text.
(Unknown to S.H. Church, April 14, 1911)
(Unknown to S.H. Church, April 14, 1911)
Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Painters--Sweden, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Portraits, Art commissions, Arlington Hotel (Washington, D.C.), Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence
Western Union telegram from unknown individual to Colonel S.H. Church stating that Anders Zorn (Swedish painter who eventually paints a portrait of Andrew Carnegie) is at the Hotel Raleigh in Washington, DC . Raleigh is crossed out in pencil and replaced by Arlington.
(W.L. Scaife to Samuel Harden Church, January 9, 1912)
(W.L. Scaife to Samuel Harden Church, January 9, 1912)
Scaife, W. Lucien (William Lucien)--Correspondence, Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Painters--Sweden, Portraits, Art commissions
A handwritten letter from William Lucien Scaife to Samuel Harden Church concerning the portrait of Andrew Carnegie by the Swedish painter Anders Zorn. On the letterhead of Scaife Foundry and Machine Co. Ltd.