Art work by Theodore Gegoux (1850 - 1931)
Dedicated in Loving memory of Naomi Moshberger Cutter (1917 - 1997) of Molalla, Oregon
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"The Portrait of Naomi Moshberger Cutter (1917 - 1997)" Oil on upson board, 30 inches by 40 inches. Photograph by John Cutter courtesy of the Cutter Family © Copyright - All Rights Reserved The subject of this portrait is Naomi Moshberger Cutter born and raised in Molalla, Oregon |
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Dear Ted,
Attached is a photo of our painting by your great grandfather. The painting was started in 1918 and finished in 1920. The painting is 30 by 40 inches on upson board. We had the painting repaired and restored about 5 years ago by a restorer in Portland, Cliff Smith. The painting was done from a black and white photo, which we have. I am guessing that the photo may have been taken on my mother's first birthday, judging from her size and the maturity of the grapes. I believe that Theodore stopped by my grandmother's house offering his services and saw the photo. He was very excited to do a painting of my mother but took a couple of years to finish it. He was busy working on the "Birth of Oregon" mural at the time. We have 3 original letters* that he sent to my grandparents which I will have copied and send later. * note two of the letters are copied below. My mother's name is Naomi Moshberger Cutter, deceased July 1997. My grandparents name is Nettie and Albert Moshberger. The Moshberger side of the family resided at the same farm near Molalla from 1854 until my grandmother moved to a care home in the 1970's. John Cutter Aurora - December 16, 1918 Mrs. A. F. Moshberger Aurora - Route #4 Yours of the 13th is just at hand - glad you were able to let me use the negative. I will not need any other picture. I can make a large head from this negative so that I can work without having to use a magnifying glass all the time. You must not expect to see many detail in the painting, you know Mrs. Moshberger the artist has to work for effect by way of technic and suggestion. I hope to be able to get it finished for the 2nd of May next. In regard to the modeling clay. Would say that I shall be glad to get it and make good use of it. Will try and compensate you for your trouble and expenses. Believe me I am Yours Respecfully Theo Gegoux
Aurora - February 28, 1920 Mr. & Mrs. A. F. Moshberger It seems good to hear someone say Halo! or Something. I have seen but few visitors these last two months. I am afraid that I shall lose my power to articulate, at least I am not having much practice. I lost all of my cats during the very cold spell - am glad of it. They were a nuisance. Now, I am taking care of two young poulettes. They will be more renumerative for they are commensing to lay. I told them a few days ago that if they didn't lay me some eggs that I would ring their necks, so I think, likely, they understood me. Do you have any corn to sell either in the ear or shelled? I want to buy a bushell or two. I am also in need of a couple bushel of potatoes and some dry onions. I have not had a taste of onions in three months or more. I had a chance to buy onion sets yesterday, will plant them in a day or two but it will be sometime before I can see them up. I am not going to have much of a garden this year - between the rabbits and the moles, the garden stuff don't amount to much. Though, I had a nice lot of hubbard squash - but the frost spoiled them for me. I will plant some of them again this year but will try and have a place underground where the frost cannot touch them. I don't suppose that there is any need of inviting you to come and take a look at the little darling's portrait, but nevertheless I do so. Though that is about all you can see now, for I have taken down the large Historical Painting. For, you know that the carpenter will soon be here and finish the upstairs part, and I did not wish to have it exposed to the dangers of flying boards. I am not run down yet but I had better have mercy on you and quit this scribbling and say - I am as ever Yours Theo Gegoux
The letters, provenance, and dedication were contributed by John Cutter - July 27, 2005 © Copyright - All Rights Reserved. |