Mrs. Grover Cleveland
painter
Anders Zorn
(Mora, 1860 - 1920, Mora)
Date1899
Place MadeSweden, Europe
MediumOil on canvas
Dimensions68 x 51 cm (26 3/4 x 20 1/16 in.)
ClassificationsPaintings
Credit LineIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston
Accession numberP3w12
eMuseum ID717836
EmbARK ObjectID10972
TMS Source ID231
Last Updated11/6/24
Status
Not on viewWeb Commentary
Isabella attended the inauguration of President Cleveland in 1885, and afterwards, she continued to follow the career of the President and First Lady, Frances Folsom Cleveland, whom she met on at least one occasion. They had a mutual friend—Swedish painter Anders Zorn. Isabella was an important patron for Zorn, who she met at the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893.
In December 1898, Zorn came to the United States for several portrait commissions, including two for former President Grover and Frances Cleveland. Before traveling to the Clevelands’ home in New Jersey, Zorn stayed in Boston with Isabella, who had recently become a widow. His presence comforted his grief stricken friend. For her birthday in April, Zorn sent Isabella a study for his portrait of Mrs. Cleveland which she installed in the Blue Room. The finished painting is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, along with Zorn’s portrait of President Cleveland.
BibliographyNotesCatalogue. Fenway Court. (Boston, 1903), p. 2. (as "Sketch in Oils")
Gilbert Wendel Longstreet and Morris Carter. General Catalogue (Boston, 1935), p. 32.
Morris Carter. "Mrs. Gardner & The Treasures of Fenway Court" in Alfred M. Frankfurter (ed.). The Gardner Collection (New York, 1946), p. 56.
Philip Hendy. European and American Paintings in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1974), p. 297-98.
Michelle Facos. Swedish Impressionism’s Boston Champion: Anders Zorn and Isabella Stewart Gardner. Exploring Treasures in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum VI. Exh. cat. (Boston: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 1993), pp. 30-33.
Oliver Tostmann et al. Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America. Exh. cat. (Boston: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 2013), p. 168, fig. 91.
Elizabeth Reluga, "Inauguration Day 1885," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 19 January 2021, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/inauguration-day-1885
Gilbert Wendel Longstreet and Morris Carter. General Catalogue (Boston, 1935), p. 32.
Morris Carter. "Mrs. Gardner & The Treasures of Fenway Court" in Alfred M. Frankfurter (ed.). The Gardner Collection (New York, 1946), p. 56.
Philip Hendy. European and American Paintings in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (Boston, 1974), p. 297-98.
Michelle Facos. Swedish Impressionism’s Boston Champion: Anders Zorn and Isabella Stewart Gardner. Exploring Treasures in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum VI. Exh. cat. (Boston: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 1993), pp. 30-33.
Oliver Tostmann et al. Anders Zorn: A European Artist Seduces America. Exh. cat. (Boston: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 2013), p. 168, fig. 91.
Elizabeth Reluga, "Inauguration Day 1885," Inside the Collection (blog), Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, 19 January 2021, https://www.gardnermuseum.org/blog/inauguration-day-1885
MarksNotesInscribed, signed and dated (lower left): Zorn to Mrs. JL Gardner/ 14 apr. 1899
ProvenanceNotesBirthday gift from Anders Zorn to Isabella Stewart Gardner, 14 April 1899.
