Hand of God cartouche, study for the Ceiling in the Seamen's Church Institute

1930-1932

Durr Freedley was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and educated at Williams College (1906-08), the Royal College of Art (London) (1908-09) and Harvard College, from where he graduated in 1911. He went to Europe after graduation and upon returning in 1911 became assistant curator of the decorative arts department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He developed an interest in ecclesiastical art and architecture. In 1913 he designed the Memorial Chapel at St. Johns Church in Newport, a commission he received from Mrs. Sidney Webster. In 1917 Freedley joined the Air Force and was in charge of camouflage for planes. After the war he changed his name from Friedley to Freedley. In 1919 he moved to Italy and began painting portraits; in 1923 he settled again, in Paris. In 1930 Freedley returned to Newport to paint the murals for the Memorial Chapel of the Seamen's Church Institute. He remained in Newport, serving on the Council of the Art Association of Newport and directing part of the 1936 Tercentenary exhibition, until his death in a car accident in 1938.

Newport

Pencil and gouache on board

image: 14 1/2 in x 13 1/4 in

Gift of Mrs. Hamilton Fish Webster

1938.001.014