A Gold 'Ami Pour la Vie' Friendship Ring . 0-1/8 x 0-5/8 inches (0.3 x 1.5 cm). ...

Description

A Gold 'Ami Pour la Vie' Friendship Ring
0-1/8 x 0-5/8 inches (0.3 x 1.5 cm)

"Despite past attempts to decode Winslow Homer's Portrait of Helena (circa 1872, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid, Spain), there are puzzles left to solve. Some have speculated that de Kay was the woman whose rejection confirmed Homer's status as an inveterate bachelor. However, there has been little concrete evidence to show that Homer nurtured tender feelings for the woman who ultimately became the wife of the poet Richard Watson Gilder. Letters and correspondence [between Homer and Helena in the collection of the Gilder family] offer proof that Homer was powerfully drawn to Helena de Kay. Not only do these letters allow us a rare glimpse into Homer's heart, but they also cast fresh light on his artistic interest in courtship and other romantic themes in the early 1870s. After de Kay was married in 1874, the subject of courtship tapered off and eventually disappeared altogether from Homer's art.

"Homer probably met de Kay through her brother Charles (1848-1935), who occupied Homer's studio in the University Building in New York City during 1867, when Homer was living in France. Her acquaintance with Homer must have dated to late 1867 or 1868 after the painter returned to New York City. She was then living in the family house on Staten Island but spent her days in Manhattan studying to become an artist at the Woman's Art School at Cooper Union, often in the company of her close friend Mary Hallock [Foote].

"It is not certain when Homer's romantic interest in de Kay began to stir. He may already have had her on his mind in the summer of 1868 when he painted The Bridle Path (1868, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, Williamstown, Massachusetts) set in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. David Tatham has put forward a case for identifying the model as Martha Bennett Phelps (d. 1920) of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Yet in 1873, Mary Hallock, then living in Milton in Ulster County, New York, wrote to de Kay saying that when her little nephew Gerald 'looks at a photograph of The Bridle Path he says 'Helena---ride--horseback.'--this is his own idea.'

"During the early 1870s Homer sought Helena de Kay's company at every opportunity...In the fall of 1871 or winter of 1872 he wrote: 'Miss Helena, if you would like to see a large drawing on wood, and will come to my studio on Monday or Tuesday, I shall have a chance to see you. Why can't you make some designs and let me send them to Harpers for you, they will gladly take anything fresh. And I will see that you draw them on the block all right.'

"Helena de Kay preferred to receive her instruction elsewhere. Accordingly, in another letter Homer wrote: "Dear Miss Helena, you know you were to let me know when it would be agreeable for me to call at your studio. Having no word from you I suppose you have made other arrangements.' Later he attempted to extract a commitment from her: "My work this winter will be good or very bad. The good work will depend on your coming to see me once a month--at least--Is this asking too much? Truly yours, Winslow Homer.'

"The most poignant letter is dated June 19 and bears the address of the Studio Building at 51 West Tenth Street: 'My dear Miss Helena, enclosed find photo's which are a failure. I keep one for company this summer. You may think it will be dull music with so faint a resemblance and so dolorous but it's like a Beethoven symphony to me, as any remembrance of you will always be.'

"For Homer in the early 1870s, that ending set the course of his life as an inveterately single man. He may have had other flirtations, for several attractive young women appear in his paintings up to about 1880, but he remained solitary. From his fifties into his early seventies Homer traveled widely and turned to increasingly somber, elemental subjects in his art. Whatever scars marked him he had long since covered with the crusty shell that contributed to his undeserved reputation as a belligerent artist-hermit. But the fact that he never let go of Girl in the Orchard suggests that those scars had struck to the bottom of his soul." (S. Burns, "The Courtship of Winslow Homer: Letters Reveal Relationship with Helena de Kay," The Magazine Antiques, February 2002)

The present ring is an 11kt gold friendship ring bearing the inscription AMI POUR LA VIE (friends for life) reportedly given to Helena de Kay Gilder by Winslow Homer.


*Heritage Auctions strives to provide as much information as possible but encourages in-person inspection by bidders. Statements regarding the condition of objects are only for general guidance and should not be relied upon as complete statements of fact, and do not constitute a representation, warranty or assumption of liability by Heritage. Some condition issues may not be noted in the condition report but are apparent in the provided photos which are considered part of the condition report. Please note that we do not de-frame lots estimated at $1,000 or less and may not be able to provide additional details for lots valued under $500. Heritage does not guarantee the condition of frames and shall not be liable for any damage/scratches to frames, glass/acrylic coverings, original boxes, display accessories, or art that has slipped in frames. All lots are sold "AS IS" under the Terms & Conditions of Auction.