Title
Colonel Chauncey B. Humphrey, Palm Beach
Object Type
Creator
Date
1936
Notes
Freedley captured this uncharacteristic image of a military man when he was visiting his friend Maud Howe Elliott and planning for a show in Palm Beach, in 1936. The subject is Col. Chauncey B, Humphrey (1872-1958), a West Point graduate and instructor who served as a military attaché in Panama under President Theodore Roosevelt. During the First World War Humphrey led the 805th Infantry, an all black regiment. Known as "the Bearcats," these men loved their leader of whom it was said, "All that he asked of his officers and men was-perfection."
In 1936, Freedley wrote home to Ruth Thomas at the Art Association of Newport (where he was on the Council): "My portrait here doesn't finish itself spryly as it should. Art, you may have heard, is long. I sometimes think too long...Now I must hurry and paint checks on a coat, which I've been doing for days, or is it forever?"
In 1936, Freedley wrote home to Ruth Thomas at the Art Association of Newport (where he was on the Council): "My portrait here doesn't finish itself spryly as it should. Art, you may have heard, is long. I sometimes think too long...Now I must hurry and paint checks on a coat, which I've been doing for days, or is it forever?"
Cultural Origin
Palm Beach, Florida
Medium
Oil on panel
Extent
framed: 28 in x 24 in; overall: 25 5/8 in x 21 1/4 in
Source
Gift of Mrs. John Howard (Esther Fisher) Benson
Identifier
1990.001.002
For more information about this item, please contact its owning institution.