John Elliot (1858 – 1925)
Posted by Suzay Lamb on January 15, 2013
Julia Ward Howe (begun by John Elliot and finished by William Henry Cotton)
Looking Westward On The Headland Newquay
Highland Loch
South Carolina River
Mountainous Landscape
Ruins At Sunset
A Bridge Near Llangollen
Diana Of The Tides
Putti In A Grape Arbor
Still Life
Julia Ward Howe
Bruce said
That’s an interesting portrait of Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” (the tune was lifted from “John Brown’s Body” which itself was a former spiritual revivalist hymn of the early 1800′s – apparently there was no concern for music copyrights in those days). With her song, Ms. Howe inspired the Union cause at a time when it was sorely needed: the early years of the Civil War when it appeared the South would prevail.
Interesting also in that this lady lived to the ripe old age of 91, passing away only in 1910 or 45 years after the Civil War ended. More than enough time for this man, who was not even born until Ms. Howe was approaching 40, to grow up, become an accomplished artist, and capture her likeness this late in life. I cannot make it out, but that looks like a ’92 or ’98, some year in the 1890′s perhaps, next to his signature.
Bruce said
Scrolling back up to the top of this post, I realized that I missed the caption to the first portrait of Ms. Howe, titled “Julia Ward Howe (begun by John Elliot and finished by William Henry Cotton).” Now this is a mystery. I just got done mentioning how she lived long enough for Elliot to mature as an artist and capture her late-in-life image when apparently the artist had begun a portrait of her as a younger woman and never finished it!
Suzay Lamb said
John Elliot was Mrs. Howe’s son-in-law, as he married her daughter Maud Howe. He started this portrait in 1910, when Julia Ward Howe was 91 years old but he portrayed her the way she was in 1861, when she wrote the “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Probably the artist’s intention was to create an eternal tribute portraying her in the most significant moment of her life. Anyway the painting remained unfinished until 1925 (the year John Elliot died) and was completed by W. H. Cotton.
Bruce said
Ah! Very good. Thanks, Suzay.
Abigail said
Hi Suzay,
My favorite of Elliot’s work is called Diana of the Tides. It was painted between 1906 and 1908. Unfortunately it is hidden behind the west wall of Smithsonian NMNH’s paleontology hall, so I’ve never actually seen it in person. More information is available about it here. http://nmnh.typepad.com/100years/2011/01/diana-of-the-tides-a-sensation-of-her-time.html
Suzay Lamb said
Abigail,
I just added this painting. Thank you very much!