Portait of James F. Kemp (1859-1926); verso: Portrait of Mario Chamlee (1892-1966)

1925

Graphite on paper

Overall: 5 7/8 x 3 13/16 in. ( 14.9 x 9.7 cm )

Gift of the Family of William Henry Walker

1990.1.21

A geologist, James F. Kemp became scientific director of New York Botanical Gardens in 1898. Mario Chamlee was an operatic tenor whose national debut, as Cavaradossi, in "La Tosca," took place November 22, 1920, at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.

DescriptionPortrait

Markingsinscription and date: lower center (recto): "James F. Kemp / Feb. 24, 1925" inscriptions: upper center (recto): "Great Well" and upper right (recto): "1185" signature: lower left (verso): "W.H.W." inscriptions and date: lower right (verso): "Mario Chamlee / 1925 / CHAMLEE"

InscribedInscribed along upper edge in graphite: "Great well / 1185"; signed by sitter at lower center: "James F. Kemp -- / Feb. 24. 1925."; verso signed and inscribed at lower left: "W.H.W."; at lower right: "1925 / Chamlee"; signed by sitter at lower right: "Mario Chamlee"

ClassificationsDRAWINGS