Carnegie Mellon University - Andrew Carnegie Online Archives

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  • Original Format = Correspondence
  • Subject = Painters--Sweden
  • Subject = Pittsburgh (Pa.)

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.
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(Anders Zorn to Samuel Church, May 15, 1911)
(Anders Zorn to Samuel Church, May 15, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, Painters--Sweden, Art commissions, Portraits, Carnegie, Andrew, 1835-1919--Portraits, Philanthropists--United States--Portraits, Mora (Sweden), Beatty, John W. (John Wesley), 1851-1924, Pittsburgh (Pa.), Zorn, Anders, 1860-1920--Correspondence
A handwritten letter from Anders Zorn to Samuel H. Church regarding the portrait Zorn painted of Andrew Carnegie. He explains that Carnegie liked the portrait and he hopes that Church likes it too. He writes that the portrait looks best in ""subdued light"". Zorn asks that communication to him be sent to Mora, Sweden. He asks Church to give his regards to Mr. John Beatty and ""the other friends in Pittsburgh"".
(John W. Beatty to Samuel H. Church, Sept 8, 1911)
(John W. Beatty to Samuel H. Church, Sept 8, 1911)
Church, Samuel Harden--Correspondence, 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, Carnegie Institute, Board of Trustees, Shaw, George E., Pittsburgh (Pa.), Garber, J. A., Church, Samuel Harden, Church, Bertha Jean, Beatty, John W. (John Wesley), 1851-1924
A typescript letter from John W. Beatty to Samuel H. Church concerning the portrait Anders Zorn painted of Andrew Carnegie. Beatty states that his stenographer has forwarded to him a copy of Church's letter dated August 30, 1911 (i.e. August 31, 1911) minus the ""relative correspondence"". He writes that he is asking her to send him copies of Zorn's letter, presumably dated August 18, 1911 and James Bertram's letter, presumably dated June 30, 1911. He will also ask his stenographer to return the originals to Church. Beatty states that after he receives the copies he will write Church ""more fully"". He writes that he presumes Zorn will enforce payment of the portrait whether it is located in Carnegie's house or ""in our possession"". Beatty states that he doesn't believe Church or the Trustees (Carnegie Institute, Board of Trustees) ""will care to go into a legal battle"" about payment for the portrait. He continues to discuss what could be done about payment for the portrait and refers Church to Mr. Shaw (presumably George E. Shaw, Chairman, Fine Arts Committee, Carnegie Institute) for advice. Beatty states that if the portrait is to be brought here (Pittsburgh, Pa.) then he will have Garber (presumably J. A. Garber) send for it. Includes a P.S. about where Beatty is currently staying and Mr. and Mr. Samuel H. Church's possible visit there. At head of letter states Plymouth, Sept. 8, 1911.
(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).