Winslow Homer (1836-1910), America's preeminent painter of the sea, writes a quietly revealing two-page letter to "Mrs. DeCamp," dated December 28th, 1906. The letter opens: "Dear Mrs. DeCamp / I regret to say that I have nothing to send to the Penn. Academy" and continues: "Yes — I am very well however now — I am here alone — only one other man on points here — Please give my regards to Mrs. DeCamp and I wish you all a very Happy New Year. / Yours sincerely / Winslow Homer."
By December 1906, Homer was 70, living his famously reclusive life at Prouts Neck, Maine. The refusal to submit work to the Pennsylvania Academy is consistent with his late-career independence. The admission that he is "here alone — only one other man on points here" captures perfectly the austere solitude of his winter existence. Letters from his Prouts Neck years are among the most prized in American art collecting.
ALS, two pages, pencil, each page approximately 5.5 x 8.5 inches, dated December 28th, 1906 (IMG_192.jpg, IMG_193.jpg). Pages show significant fading consistent with pencil on aged paper; text largely legible; good condition given age and medium. Estimate: $5,000-$8,000.
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