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for Benjamin Franklin De Haven
American, 1856 - 1934
The son of a well driller, Frank De Haven spent his youth in the oil field region of Pennsylvania. His earliest artistic training was with George Monroe, a sign painter, and with Isaac Taylor, who taught him how to prepare canvases. Although he moved to New York in 1882, he continued to maintain a studio in Oil City, Pennsylvania, for two years. Once in New York he took up formal study with George Smillie, choosing that mentor-according to De Haven-based on seeing Smillie listed in the Academy annual exhibition catalogues. He also studied glazing techniques with Walter N. Satterlee, presumably at this time. After only one month, Smillie suggested to De Haven that he give up being a student and work directly from nature.
Although De Haven maintained a New York studio from at least 1886, he frequently traveled to rural communities in search of subjects for his atmospheric, tonal landscapes. For three years from about 1884 he lived in Milford, Pennsylvania, and he spent the following three years in Manomet, Massachusetts. Thereafter he remained more closely tied to New York but regularly made sketching trips to scenic parts of New England. From 1913 to 1916, he had a cottage in Tolland, South Carolina. In 1905 he visited the area around Mystic, Connecticut, which the presence of Henry Ward Ranger had made a center for American tonal landscapists.
Always seriously devoted to music, and a proficient amateur violinist, from 1911 De Haven began giving much attention to the making of violins. In its memorial statement, the Academy especially noted his high degree of craftsmanship in this pursuit.
De Haven exhibited regularly at the Academy from 1886 through 1933. His primary organizational devotion, however, was to New York's Salmagundi Club, of which he was a president.
Although De Haven maintained a New York studio from at least 1886, he frequently traveled to rural communities in search of subjects for his atmospheric, tonal landscapes. For three years from about 1884 he lived in Milford, Pennsylvania, and he spent the following three years in Manomet, Massachusetts. Thereafter he remained more closely tied to New York but regularly made sketching trips to scenic parts of New England. From 1913 to 1916, he had a cottage in Tolland, South Carolina. In 1905 he visited the area around Mystic, Connecticut, which the presence of Henry Ward Ranger had made a center for American tonal landscapists.
Always seriously devoted to music, and a proficient amateur violinist, from 1911 De Haven began giving much attention to the making of violins. In its memorial statement, the Academy especially noted his high degree of craftsmanship in this pursuit.
De Haven exhibited regularly at the Academy from 1886 through 1933. His primary organizational devotion, however, was to New York's Salmagundi Club, of which he was a president.
